UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has voiced concerns over the current Brexit agreement, suggesting that it falls short of meeting Britain’s needs. Burnham argued that the departure from the European Union has weakened the UK economy and complicated the management of irregular migration. Despite these criticisms, he dismissed the possibility of significant alterations to the UK’s relationship with the EU during the present parliamentary term.
Burnham highlighted that the Brexit deal implemented was a more stringent version than what was promised during the 2016 referendum campaign. He pointed out that the expected benefits, particularly in economic performance and immigration control, have not been realized under the current arrangements.
When questioned about the prospect of the UK rejoining the EU, Burnham expressed that he would welcome such a development in his lifetime, though he insisted any move must reflect public sentiment. He clarified that he is not advocating for EU membership within the current parliamentary term and would rather concentrate on enhancing existing agreements.
In terms of immigration, Burnham stated that Brexit has made it more challenging to return individuals who enter the UK irregularly. He supported the idea of stricter settlement regulations for foreign workers, advocating that permanent residency should be earned rather than granted automatically.
Looking ahead to the UK-EU summit on November 20, Burnham suggested it could be a chance to secure agreements that favor British food manufacturers and other businesses affected by trade barriers stemming from Brexit.
Burnham’s remarks come amid governmental pressures around its stance on Europe, with some Labour representatives from pro-Brexit constituencies concerned that reopening discussions could benefit political rivals. He reiterated that the government does not intend to rerun the Brexit referendum, emphasizing that any future relationship with the EU should be decided by voters.
He also ruled out the possibility of an early general election and mentioned that the upcoming budget should aim to provide more economic stability for households and businesses.