Andy Burnham signals debate on EU free movement

UK leader Andy Burnham indicated he was open to discussing the return of European Union free movement rules as part of Britain's future relationship with the bloc, according to the Sunday Times.

Burnham, the Labour prime minister since July, said Britain should have an “honest discussion” about how immigration has changed since Brexit. He has promised to set out options for closer relations with Europe around a UK-EU summit in Brussels next month.

Burnham told the Sunday Times that immigration into Britain had been “different” since the country left the EU in early 2020. He described previous “revolving door migration” as different from current patterns and said the balance of migration had changed.

Burnham has committed to the 2024 Labour manifesto of his predecessor, Keir Starmer, which ruled out a return to free movement, single market membership or a customs union. That could mean any major change in Britain's relationship with the EU would need a mandate at the next general election, which is currently not expected until 2029.

Burnham also told the Sunday Times he could not see himself recommending anything that would involve joining the euro or the Schengen borderless area, neither of which Britain was part of before Brexit.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called Burnham's comments on free movement a “total betrayal of Brexit Britain”. Burnham and EU leaders hope to reach deals on food and drink, youth mobility and emissions trading when they meet on November 20.