Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday that Britain should consider rejoining the European Union as one possible future relationship with the bloc, while also weighing a customs union and membership of the single market.
Options on the table
Burnham laid out the choices after telling the Labour Party’s annual conference that Brexit had “done more harm than good.” In an interview with the BBC, he said Britain should examine different models for its long-term relationship with Europe and decide which offered the best way forward.
“We could stay as we are. That's definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” Burnham told the broadcaster. Britain could also consider “what George Osborne has said about a customs union” or “what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about single market,” he said, before adding: “or we could go all the way.”
Osborne, a former Conservative finance minister, has argued that Britain should pursue a customs union with the EU. The Liberal Democrats have called for Britain to rejoin the bloc’s single market. Burnham said people should judge the options by “what is doable” and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
He didn't choose a model for Britain to pursue. Instead, he described several possible relationships, from keeping the current arrangement to rejoining the European Union. His comments renewed attention on Britain’s long-term ties with Europe.
Brexit and the next steps
Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, ending more than four decades of membership. The vote set off years of political upheaval, as successive governments grappled with the economic and diplomatic consequences.
Earlier on Tuesday, Burnham said he would use a UK-EU summit in November to outline options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the bloc. The account doesn't say what proposals he plans to present at the summit.
Burnham replaced Keir Starmer in July. He has previously said he would like Britain to rejoin the European Union in his lifetime, and argued that the country couldn't afford another decade of uncertainty over the issue.
Burnham’s discussion concerned Britain’s relationship with the EU after Brexit. The options he named were staying as Britain is, pursuing a customs union, rejoining the single market, or rejoining the bloc. His remarks set no timetable for choosing among them.
“I am very clear, and I will say this bluntly: Brexit has caused more harm than good,” Burnham said. “So the question is, what do we do about that?”
He said the answer should come after an assessment of what is possible and of each option’s advantages and disadvantages. At the November summit, he has said, he will outline choices for the longer-term relationship. The account included no further details of the summit agenda or the options’ terms.