UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that ahead of the UK-European Union summit planned for next month in Brussels, free movement rules could be reconsidered for the future of relations between the two sides.
The Labour Party's Burnham, while stating that he would bring up options for establishing closer ties with Europe, emphasized that the changes in the nature of migration following Brexit must be discussed "honestly." Burnham did not rule out the possibility that the UK might one day apply to rejoin the EU.
The issue of migration was one of the most effective topics of the leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum. The UK officially left the EU at the beginning of 2020; London-Brussels relations were redefined on issues such as free movement, the single market, and the customs union.
MIGRATION DEBATE REOPENED
In his assessment to the Sunday Times, Burnham argued that migration mobility before Brexit was different from today. The Prime Minister stated, "We were talking about a migration where people came and then went back, like a revolving door, and that is different now."
Burnham, who has been in office since July, also said he would remain committed to the line pledged in the 2024 elections during the term of his predecessor Keir Starmer, which rejected a return to free movement, single market membership, or the customs union. However, the topic of reciprocal youth mobility has brought the free movement debate back onto the political agenda.
The Prime Minister signaled that a political mandate for a more fundamental change in the UK's relations with the EU could be sought in the next general election. According to the current calendar, general elections in the country are not expected to be held before 2029.
Burnham, however, stated that he would not advocate for steps such as the UK joining the euro or becoming part of the Schengen Area, which it remained outside of even before Brexit.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who reacted harshly to the statements, described Burnham's approach to free movement as "a complete betrayal of Brexit Britain."
UK and EU leaders are expected to seek common ground for agreements in areas such as food and beverage trade, youth mobility, and emissions trading at the meeting on November 20.
News Source: 12punto
