Burnham Says UK Could Ultimately Rejoin the EU

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain should assess different ways to shape its future relationship with the European Union, including the possibility of ultimately rejoining the bloc, as he pushes to rebuild ties with Europe.

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday after addressing the Labour Party’s annual conference, Burnham said Brexit had “done more harm than good”. He argued that the country should examine a range of models for long-term engagement with the EU and then decide which route offers the best path forward.

Brexit As Background To A Wider Review

Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, ending more than four decades of membership and setting off years of political upheaval. Successive governments have since wrestled with the economic and diplomatic effects of the referendum result.

Burnham, who became prime minister in July after replacing Keir Starmer, said uncertainty about Britain’s position had become damaging. He has previously said he wants the UK to rejoin the EU during his lifetime and argued that it could not afford another decade of delays over the issue.

On Wednesday, he told the BBC: “I am very clear, and I will say this bluntly: Brexit has caused more harm than good.” He added: “So the question is, what do we do about that?”

Possible Paths: Standpat, Customs Union Or Single Market

Burnham said staying in the status quo was one option. “We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” he said.

He also pointed to proposals advanced by other political parties and figures. He said Britain could consider the approach suggested by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, who has argued for a customs union with the EU.

Burnham said the Liberal Democrats have called for Britain to rejoin the EU’s single market. He presented that as another potential route for relations with the bloc.

Finally, Burnham said there was an option to “go all the way”, referring to full re-entry to the EU.

He said the choices should be evaluated on practicality as well as the benefits and downsides of each arrangement. The review, he said, should be guided by “what is doable”.

November UK-EU Summit To Outline Options

Earlier on Tuesday, Burnham said he would use a November UK-EU summit to set out options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the bloc. The aim, he said, would be to clarify possible models for how the UK could work with the EU in the future.

Osborne’s proposal centres on a customs union, while the Liberal Democrats have argued for restoring access through the single market. Burnham’s comments placed those ideas alongside the alternative of remaining outside the EU as well as the prospect of rejoining the bloc.

Join the discussion?

30 September 2026