Burnham says 65% Makerfield vote keeps Brexit in check
Downing Street clarified that the prime minister is not proposing a return to EU freedom of movement, despite recent interview comments suggesting the issue is open for debate.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
Andy Burnham is not proposing an immediate return to EU freedom of movement, Downing Street confirmed.
The clarification followed a weekend of interviews in which the prime minister suggested the UK needs an honest discussion about its long-term relationship with Europe.
Speculation grew that the government might be moving away from previous red lines on migration. Confusion deepened when further comments appeared to leave the door open to a future referendum on the issue.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated that the prime minister was not leaning toward any specific option. The decision will be left to the British public.
The spokesperson emphasized that the current focus is on the upcoming summit and practical arrangements expected to add billions to the economy. The government has not yet confirmed whether the public will decide on proposals to move closer to the EU.
When asked if returning to freedom of movement would mean losing control over legal migration, the spokesperson said Burnham is not setting out a concrete position. He wants a conversation with the public about the long-term future with the European Union.
In a Sunday Times interview, Burnham indicated that staying out of free movement is no longer a strict red line. On Monday, he ruled out rejoining the EU within the current parliament. He said he could fight the next general election on a promise to take the UK back into the EU.
Burnham stated he is not moving away from the red lines in the Labour manifesto. Hours later, he told journalists he would not allow the UK to join the freedom of movement scheme without a referendum.
Asked if he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he would like to see it happen in his lifetime. He added that he is not going to dictate his own opinions and that the British public must be the bosses.
Challenged on how his constituents in Makerfield would feel, Burnham noted that 65% of them voted to leave. He said he would not rerun the referendum and that the people of Makerfield will decide what happens in relation to Brexit.
Burnham ruled out an early general election based on a manifesto change on this issue. He told GMB that people may as well put that idea out of their mind for now.
He remains open to a future fight on a promise to fully rejoin the EU. Burnham believes the current Brexit deal has weakened the economy and control of immigration, and that it is not good enough for the country.
