UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on October 26, 2026, his personal desire for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union during his lifetime, while ruling out an immediate referendum on the matter.

The Prime Minister's comments signal a potential long-term shift in the UK's relationship with the European Union, setting the stage for future discussions and highlighting ongoing challenges related to Brexit ahead of an upcoming UK-EU summit.

What the records show

Andy Burnham, who assumed office as Prime Minister on July 20, 2026, made his remarks during an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain. He expressed that the current Brexit deal is “not good enough,” arguing it has resulted in “weaker control” over immigration and contributed to the “small boats crisis” due to the inability to return people as before. Burnham called for an “honest discussion” about potentially reintroducing free movement between the UK and the EU.

Despite his personal views, Burnham emphasized that he would not “move ahead of the public” and that the “British public would 'be the boss'” in any decision on the EU relationship. He committed to the Labour Party's 2024 election manifesto “red lines,” which exclude a return to free movement, single market membership, or a customs union within the current Parliament. This suggests any fundamental change to the UK's relationship with the EU would occur only after a general election.

The timeline

Andy Burnham became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 20, 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer. His statements regarding the EU were made on October 26, 2026. Burnham is scheduled to meet with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the second EU-UK summit in Brussels on November 20, 2026.

What changed and for whom

Burnham's openness to the idea of rejoining the EU marks a departure from previous UK Prime Ministers since Brexit, making him the first to openly consider the option from 10 Downing Street. His comments have led to a “mixed Labour response”. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned Burnham, stating he was “unpicking” the withdrawal agreement with the EU and that he “would not get a better deal”.

What the subject has said publicly

Burnham stated on ITV's Good Morning Britain that he wants to rejoin the EU “in my lifetime”. He clarified, “I'm not proposing rejoining in this parliament” because the UK is “way, way, away from that at this particular moment in time”. He attributed the “small boats crisis” to the current Brexit deal, saying, “I don't think things have worked out as people said they would at the time, particularly when it comes to immigration. I think we've got weaker control now”. Burnham also stressed the need for a “calm, clear-eyed look at the world” and asserted that “Sticking to the status quo is not good enough for Britain”.

What we could not confirm

The specific details of the “mixed Labour response” to Burnham's comments have not been fully elaborated. It remains unclear what specific proposals for “deals on trade, immigration” will be discussed or agreed upon at the upcoming EU-UK summit.