Key facts
- Andy Burnham has called for a closer relationship with the EU.
- Burnham suggested the UK could go "all the way" towards full EU membership.
- Half of voters would like to rejoin the EU, according to a Messina Group poll.
- UK GDP per head is estimated to be 6-8% lower due to Brexit.
- A UK-EU summit is planned for November to discuss trade, emissions, energy, and youth mobility.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has signaled a potential shift in the UK's approach to the European Union, suggesting a desire for closer ties and a re-evaluation of the impact of Brexit. His recent statements mark a departure from the established political narrative that sought to move past the referendum.
Burnham's remarks, made after his return from party conference, included a call for a "longer-term discussion" about Britain's relationship with the EU and a suggestion that the UK could "go all the way" towards full membership. He also acknowledged that Brexit had caused "more harm than good."
These statements come as public opinion in the UK shows a significant desire to reconsider the decision to leave the EU. Polls indicate that a majority of voters would prefer to rejoin, with a YouGov poll in January 2025 finding only 11% viewed Brexit as a success. Research suggests that UK GDP per head is between 6% and 8% lower than it would have been without Brexit.
However, reversing Brexit would likely necessitate another referendum, a politically divisive prospect that most major parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, are hesitant to pursue as an immediate priority. Alternative options, such as rejoining the European Economic Area or the single market and customs union, would also require breaking Labour's stated red lines and would mean adhering to EU rules without having a say in their formation.
The broader European political landscape is also evolving, with the rise of far-right parties in France and Germany and the EU's "Made in Europe" agenda, which aims to bolster European industry. This context may influence the UK's future relationship with the bloc.
A UK-EU summit is scheduled for November, where discussions are expected to cover a trade deal on food and drink, emissions trading, energy system linkage, and a new youth mobility scheme. These topics were also on the agenda at last year's talks.