Burnham: Brexit Deal Weakens Economy, Fails to Control Borders

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on Monday that the current Brexit arrangement is not good enough for Britain. He argued that the process has weakened the national economy and failed to control immigration flows as originally promised to the public during the referendum campaign.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Burnham described the outcome as a harder Brexit than proposed. He noted that the UK can no longer return individuals to Europe, a limitation he cited as a primary driver behind the ongoing small boats crisis. He supported the Home Secretary’s recent proposals for tougher immigration rules, specifically the plan requiring foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency.

Burnham addressed the possibility of rejoining the European Union directly. He said he would like to see it happen in his lifetime but refused to dictate policy based on personal opinion alone. He emphasized that the British public must remain the decision-makers, stating he would not move ahead of the electorate. He clarified that he is not proposing re-entry during the current parliament, describing the timing as way, way away from that point.

The Prime Minister said the government would take practical steps to make the current arrangements work better without abandoning Labour’s manifesto red lines. He acknowledged concerns among Labour MPs in northern and Midlands constituencies that reopening the debate could benefit Reform UK. He cited his own constituency, Makerfield, where 65 percent voted to leave, as a reminder that the public will determine the final path.

Looking ahead to the UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November, Burnham expressed hope for a deal that supports British food manufacturers, who have been hit hard by the changes. He described the summit as an opportunity to improve the arrangement for these sectors.

On domestic political timing, Burnham ruled out an early general election, despite polling data suggesting Labour is enjoying a boost in approval ratings. He told the public to put that idea out of their mind. He also previewed the budget scheduled for Wednesday, claiming it would provide breathing space for people and businesses and offer a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come as the government seeks to balance its economic recovery agenda with its commitments on immigration and trade. He maintained that settlement should be earned rather than granted automatically, a principle he said aligns with the current legislative push.

No further announcements were made regarding specific trade tariffs or regulatory changes beyond the summit preparations. The government confirmed that the November meeting would focus on trade barriers and administrative friction between the two blocs.