Burnham would welcome 'honest discussion' on EU free movement

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he would welcome an "honest discussion" about returning to free movement, the arrangement that allowed people to live and work freely between the UK and the European Union. He made the remarks in an interview with the Sunday Times.

"I think you have to have a very factual, quite evidence-based debate about this," he said. Mr Burnham said he wants to pursue a new relationship with Brussels, which could potentially include full EU membership or joining the single market, the bloc's shared trading area.

Any such change would have limits, he indicated. Labour's 2024 election manifesto, the party's plan for that vote, ruled out a return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union, a shared arrangement on trade tariffs. Mr Burnham said any fundamental changes to the UK's relationship with the EU would need a mandate at a general election, which must be held by 2029.

He also ruled out one step further. "I can't see myself ever recommending anything that would involve joining the euro or Schengen," he said, referring to the EU's single currency and the passport-free travel zone that covers most of the bloc.

Earlier this month, Labour MP Melanie Onn asked Mr Burnham to confirm that there would be no return to freedom of movement in the upcoming EU negotiations. Speaking to MPs, Mr Burnham said he would push for new post-Brexit deals with the EU at a summit in the coming month.

That summit is expected to take place on 20 November in Brussels, where Mr Burnham is due to meet EU leaders and put forward options for resetting the relationship.