Burnham says "no" to EU free movement without a public vote

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said "no" when asked whether the UK could introduce EU free movement without a public vote.

Free movement allows people to live and work in each other's countries. It is a precondition of membership of the EU's single market, the bloc's shared trading area. Sources told the BBC that no decision has been made on whether a return to free movement would require a referendum. Burnham said he would "never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit."

Burnham has ruled out major changes to the UK's relationship with the EU before the next general election, which is due by 2029. He said any such changes would require a mandate, or electoral approval, at a general election.

He said he wants to start a conversation about potential options for the UK-EU relationship. These are expected to be set out around an EU summit next month. He suggested the options could range from no changes at all to rejoining the customs union, a shared arrangement on tariffs for goods crossing borders, rejoining the single market, or holding a new in-out referendum on full EU membership.

Burnham told the Sunday Times he would welcome an "honest discussion" about returning to free movement between the UK and the EU. Reuters reported that he wants a discussion about returning to the EU's free movement rules for workers.

Burnham said he is committed to Labour's 2024 election manifesto, the party's policy programme for that contest. The manifesto ruled out a return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union. He has also said it is "possible" that a future Labour manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.

He said he can never see himself recommending joining the euro or Schengen, the passport-free travel zone that covers much of the EU.