# UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Expresses Personal Desire to Rejoin EU, Rules Out Immediate Referendum

> UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on October 26, 2026, his personal wish for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union during his lifetime, but affirmed no referendum would occur within the current parliamentary term.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-26T15:45:41.376527Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/uk-prime-minister-andy-burnham-expresses-personal-desire-to-rejoin-eu-rules-out-immediate-referendum-78bdf4be

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 [3][16][17].

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 [5][6][7].

## What the records show

Andy Burnham, who assumed office as Prime Minister on July 20, 2026 [12][13], made his remarks during an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain [3][16]. 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 [3][8][10][17][18][20]. Burnham called for an “honest discussion” about potentially reintroducing free movement between the UK and the EU [1][11].

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 [2][3][17]. 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 [1][4][11][17]. This suggests any fundamental change to the UK's relationship with the EU would occur only after a general election [1][4][11].

## The timeline

Andy Burnham became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 20, 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer [12][13]. His statements regarding the EU were made on October 26, 2026 [3][16]. 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 [6][7][9][11].

## 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 [5]. His comments have led to a “mixed Labour response” [1]. 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” [2].

## What the subject has said publicly

Burnham stated on ITV's Good Morning Britain that he wants to rejoin the EU “in my lifetime” [3][16][18]. 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” [18]. 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” [3][17][18]. 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” [8][19].

## What we could not confirm

The specific details of the “mixed Labour response” to Burnham's comments have not been fully elaborated [1]. It remains unclear what specific proposals for “deals on trade, immigration” will be discussed or agreed upon at the upcoming EU-UK summit [9].

## Evidence cited
1. (October 24 2026) Andy Burnham's call for debate on free movement with EU draws mixed Labour response. Andy Burnham calls for 'honest discussion' on freedom of movement between UK and EU. — https://irishtimes.com/
2. (October 12 2026) Burnham: British public 'the boss' on EU process. PM signals intention to move UK closer to EU, considering reentering bloc as an option. Brexit 'done more harm than good'. — https://euronews.com/
3. (October 26 2026) Andy Burnham blames Brexit for small boats crisis and 'absolutely' rules out early election. PM expresses personal desire to rejoin EU, but won't 'move ahead' of public opinion. — https://mirror.co.uk/
4. (October 25 2026) Angela Rayner: 'Nothing should be off the table' in EU talks after Burnham calls for 'honest discussion' on free movement. PM to meet EU chiefs, considering full EU membership or single market. — https://itv.com/
5. (October 01 2026) "No crystal ball on this side of the table" before the EU–UK Summit in November, which may provide clearer answers. Meanwhile, the leaders of France and Spain are rejoicing at what would represent a "wise decision" ... Brussels – Labour's Andy Burnham is the first UK Prime Minister since Brexit became a reality to have put the option of rejoining the EU back on the table at 10 Downing Street. None of his predecessors over the past decade has spoken positively about Brussels – a — https://newunionpost.eu/
6. (October 12 2026) EU-UK Summit on November 20: European Council President Costa and Commission President von der Leyen to welcome UK PM Andy Burnham in Brussels for second summit. — https://europa.eu/
7. (October 12 2026) EU and British leaders to meet in Brussels on Nov. 20 for second EU-UK summit, focusing on bilateral ties, security, and global challenges. Costa and von der Leyen to welcome PM Burnham. — https://aa.com.tr/
8. (October 12 2026) Prime Minister Andy Burnham's statement to the House of Commons ... I believe our chances of doing so will be enhanced by being open to a discussion about our relationship with the EU in the longer term. If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have. Sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain. Worse, it would be a major dereliction of duty to turn away. (GOV.UK) — https://www.gov.uk/
9. (October 22 2026) EU-UK summit on Nov 20: Leaders to assess bilateral relationship, seek closer ties. Andy Burnham to meet EU heads in Brussels for deals on trade, immigration, and long-term EU relationship. — https://thelead.uk/
10. (October 12 2026) Post-recess statement will focus on damage caused by Brexit and the need to cooperate on immigration and trade. Aletha Adu Political correspondent. Mon 12 Oct 2026 01.00 EDT Last modified on Mon 12 Oct 2026 06.01 EDT. Share. Prefer the Guardian on Google. Andy Burnham will put Brexit back on the Commons agenda as MPs return from recess, warning that failing to pursue a better deal with the EU would be a “major dereliction of duty”. The prime minister will use a statement to the (The Guardian) — https://theguardian.com/
11. (October 25 2026) UK PM Burnham calls for 'honest discussion' on EU freedom of movement, considering return to full EU membership or single market. PM committed to manifesto red lines, implying change only after next election. (Morningstar.com) — https://morningstar.com/
12. (July 20 2026) London — If you're struggling to keep up with who is running the United Kingdom, you're not alone. Keir Starmer, who led his Labour Party to a landslide election victory just two years ago, left the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street on Monday to be replaced by Labour's new leader, Andy Burnham. After being asked by King Charles III to form a new government on Monday — a constitutional formality that sealed his rise to power — Burnham became Britain's seventh prime minis (CBS News) — https://cbsnews.com/
13. (July 20 2026) Veteran Labour politician and former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to become the United Kingdom's next Prime Minister on Monday (July 20, 2026), formally succeeding Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month. Burnham was the only candidate to secure enough nominations from Labour lawmakers to contest the party leadership, effectively guaranteeing his election. As Labour commands a majority in Parliament, its leader automatically becomes the U.K. Prime Mi (The Hindu) — https://thehindu.com/
14. (July 20 2026) Rishi Sunak ... In a surprise move, Sunak called an early general election for July 2024, which some political analysts speculated was because he wanted to capitalize on improving economic conditions. However, the election saw the Labour Party secure a landslide victory. Sunak subsequently resigned, ending fourteen consecutive years of Conservative leadership. (Council on Foreign Relations) — https://cfr.org/
15. (July 20 2026) Andy Burnham pledged to make politics “work better” in his first speech as the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade, adding Britain must “regain our stability.” (CNN) — https://cnn.com/
16. (October 26 2026) Crosbie receives rare honour from bankers body · Fonab Castle. Investors sought as Crerar Hotels put up for sale · Graeme Sands. Sands takes new role to oversee SNIB's portfolio · John Healey. State pension boost and help with business costs · Rolls Royce Inchinnan. Rolls-Royce close to government deal on new engine · Lia McBride. Interview: Lia McBride, AI manager and bag designer · Michael Marra. Marra unveils shadow team with ties to wider party · Fraser Lynes. Cruden double — https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/
17. (October 26 2026) Andy Burnham has ruled out the prospect of Britain rejoining the EU within this Parliament. The Prime Minister said he would not “move ahead of the public” but that he wanted to see the UK return to the bloc within his lifetime and would work to secure a better deal with Brussels. He insisted a general election would not be called “any time soon” amid speculation he could go to the country early to secure a mandate of his own and put proposals to rejoin to voters following a bo — https://the-independent.com/
18. (October 26 2026) Andy Burnham has ruled out rejoining the EU in “this parliament”, saying the UK is “way, way, away from that” right now. The prime minister sparked speculation that he was trying to undo Brexit when he started calling for closer ties to Brussels after getting into No.10. Advertisement. He argued that last decade proves Brexit has not worked out like “people said it would” at the time of the 2016 referendum. Burnham has claimed Britain has been left with a weaker economy and a w (HuffPost UK) — https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/
19. (October 12 2026) He told MPs that Britain needed to “take a calm, clear-eyed look at the world as it is today”. “Sticking to the status quo is not good enough,” he said, adding that “public opinion currently supports a pragmatic approach like the one I am suggesting”. After his address, the leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, said Burnham would be unable to secure a better deal as the EU was ” tough negotiators” and warned that he had already “shown his hand”. In an interview released on S (Al Jazeera) — https://aljazeera.com/
20. (October 20 2026) Burnham says Brexit 'not good enough' as he vows to cosy up to EU at next month's summit - as Badenoch warns he has already lost negotiations and accuses him of trying to 'unpick' the deal. — https://newscord.org/
21. (October 13 2026) Is Britain heading for a new chapter with the European Union? Prime Minister Andy Burnham says rejecting a closer relationship with Europe would be a “dereliction of duty”—and his government is preparing to push for a new deal. Speaking in the House of Commons after the UN General Assembly, Burnham outlined plans for a UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20. The proposed agreements cover food and drink trade, energy cooperation, emissions trading, youth mobility and immigratio (YouTube) — https://youtube.com/
22. (October 26 2026) Asked about Brexit on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Mr Burnham said: “I don't think things have worked out as people said they would at the time, particularly when it comes to to immigration. ... “I think we've got weaker control now. The reason the small boats crisis has arisen is because we can't return people, and people know we can't do that in the same way that we used to be able to do.” But he added: “I'm not proposing any changes in this Parliament. I'm not going to move a — https://thisislocallondon.co.uk/