Burnham to urge MPs to embrace closer ties with EU

Andy Burnham will put Brexit back on the Commons agenda as MPs return from recess, warning that failing to pursue a better deal with the EU would be a “major dereliction of duty”.

The prime minister will use a statement to the Commons on the first day back after the party conference break to urge MPs to face up to the damage caused by Brexit, and embrace closer ties with the EU to increase economic growth and tackle illegal immigration.

In a stern warning ahead of the upcoming UK-EU summit, Burnham will argue that Britain cannot afford to turn its back on opportunities for greater cooperation with Europe and that maintaining the status quo is no longer good enough.

He will call for a calm, clear-eyed assessment of Britain’s relationship with Europe and urge MPs from across the Commons to back a pragmatic approach.

Burnham is expected to argue that most of the public would expect the government to seize the opportunity if closer cooperation could strengthen immigration controls while reviving the economy.

A No 10 source said: “Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be.

“Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.”

The prime minister’s statement comes on the same day MPs are due to debate a petition in Westminster Hall, calling for Britain to apply to rejoin the EU, which got more than 111,000 signatures.

The intervention comes amid renewed divisions over Britain’s relationship with Europe, with senior Conservatives vowing to reverse Labour’s moves towards closer EU ties, including a proposed agreement designed to ease post-Brexit barriers on food and agricultural trade. It has prompted warnings from businesses that abandoning such arrangements could prolong costs and uncertainty caused by checks and paperwork at the border.

But the idea of Britain having a closer relationship with the EU has also prompted unease within Burnham’s own ranks. Some MPs representing leave-voting constituencies fear renewing the Brexit debate could reopen old divisions, with senior ministers warning of the political and economic risks of pursuing EU membership.

Burnham’s statement also follows his declaration on Sunday that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. The prime minister has said he sought clarification on foreign interference after entering Downing Street and received confirmation of Russian involvement, although he did not reveal the evidence or suggest it had changed the referendum result.

The prime minister has already signalled a significant change in tone from his predecessor Keir Starmer, who ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union.

At Labour’s conference in Liverpool last month, Burnham said Brexit had done more harm than good and promised to examine Britain’s longterm relationship with the EU. He opened the door to options including fully rejoining the bloc.

Monday’s statement will turn the focus towards the immediate negotiations, with ministers seeking progress on removing trade barriers, including bureaucracy affecting food imports and exports, and closer cooperation on migration.