Burnham hits out at Brexit failure as crunch EU summit looms

Andy Burnham has hit out at Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal ahead of his highly-anticipated EU summit this week, as he argues the UK has “lost more than we gained” following the 2016 referendum.

In a speech on Monday, the prime minister will compare the UK’s Brexit deal to “the Emperor’s new clothes - where no one is prepared to say the obvious truth”.

It comes days before the prime minister will travel to Brussels for the UK-EU summit, where he is expected to sign new agreements in an effort to reset relations with the bloc.

Mr Burnham has set out a bold approach to relations with the EU since entering Downing Street, but will set out three tests for any revised agreements, including sticking to Labour’s manifesto red lines which prevents deals on free movement, or rejoining the EU, customs union or single market.

Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet on Monday evening, he will argue that Britain cannot afford to turn away from the bloc, and that the world has fundamentally changed since Britain vote to leave in 2016.

“It’s like the Emperor’s new clothes – where no one is prepared to say the obvious truth. Well, I say it as I see it,” he will say.

“And to be frank, the Emperor has nothing on.

“The Brexit we were given has not worked. We have lost more than we gained.”

Hitting out at Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, he will say the settlement has not delivered what voters were promised.

The prime minister will commit to signing an agreement if it meets three tests, including being within Labour’s red lines, bringing Brexit closer to what people thought they were voting for in 2016, and passing his ‘Makerfield test’ by delivering “tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives”.

He is expected to say: “And look – the point is that this is a win-win.

“It illustrates our new approach. Not adversarial. No longer burning bridges. But being constructive and positive – showing that we can come together to confront shared challenges.”

The prime minister is due to meet EU leaders in Brussels next week and sign agreements that he says could raise GDP by 0.4 per cent – including on food and farming, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme.

Mr Burnham has previously accused the Tories of having “burned all of our bridges” in the aftermath of Brexit and said the country had “lost more than we’ve gained over the last 10 years”.

His remarks since entering No 10 over the summer have fuelled questions about the prospect of the UK returning to the EU or adopting its freedom of movement rules, but Mr Burnham has insisted voters would ultimately be “the boss” of any changes.

The prime minister is also expected to declare that Britain is back on the world stage, vowing to “lead with our values”.

“Britain is back as a positive player on the world stage. Engaging with the problems we face, not turning away from them. Building the alliances we need, not burning them. And shaping the future according to the values we hold dear,” he will say.

“I’m talking about a Britain that can believe in itself again. That can hope again. And that can help bring hope back to the world.”

He will add: “Too often in foreign policy we pose a false choice between our values and our interests. But I see it differently. I think the two reinforce each other,” he will say.

“Leading with our values. Because it’s right. And because it is in our interests.”