PM’s Brexit Pivot
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled a dramatic shift in approach to Brexit, suggesting that nothing is off the table as the country looks to rebuild its relationship with the European Union. In a move that has energised pro-EU campaigners, Burnham admitted he is actively considering reintroducing freedom of movement – a policy that dominated the 2016 referendum campaign.
The prime minister’s intervention comes as new economic analysis reveals the substantial cost of Brexit, with estimates suggesting the UK has lost between £180bn and £240bn in economic growth since leaving the EU in 2020. Campaign group Best for Britain puts the annual shortfall in tax receipts at around £40bn, figures that are set to influence the upcoming Budget discussions.
Rayner Defends Strategic Shift
Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, has thrown her weight behind the prime minister’s reconsideration of Brexit policy. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Rayner argued that an “honest discussion” about Brexit was necessary, despite previous commitments made during this summer’s Makerfield by-election where Burnham told constituents that “now is not the time” to revisit the issue.
“The prime minister is clear that you can’t take anything off the table when you’re having a conversation,” Rayner stated. “But the prime minister is not saying we’re going back to where we were in 2016. He’s saying we’ve got to be pragmatic to get the best deal for Britain and he wants to have the conversation.”
This represents a significant departure from Sir Keir Starmer’s previous stance, which firmly ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market, or the customs union, and categorically opposed freedom of movement.
Economic Case Grows Stronger
The timing of Burnham’s comments coincides with fresh economic data that paints a stark picture of Brexit’s financial impact. Research commissioned by pro-EU group European Movement UK suggests that rejoining the EU could boost UK growth by at least £92bn, according to campaign group Best for Britain.
Rayner highlighted the practical consequences of current arrangements, noting: “We haven’t got the best deal at the moment because we’ve seen exports reduced by 20 per cent, we’ve seen the red tape and the friction that has meant that a lot of our businesses are not able to trade in the way that they would like with our biggest trading partners.”
The prime minister is scheduled to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders in Brussels on November 20 for a major UK-EU summit. While committed to Labour’s 2024 manifesto red lines, Burnham has indicated that any change in relationship status would require a general election mandate.
Party Support Grows
Burnham’s openness to revisiting Brexit has found support within Labour ranks. Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, welcomed the prime minister’s approach: “The prime minister is right – the UK is long overdue for a grown-up conversation about what EU freedom of movement actually means to our supply chains and for jobs for British citizens. If we want to negotiate our future with Europe we need to do so on facts not fiction.”
Pro-EU groups are increasingly vocal in their calls for Labour to include a formal pledge to rejoin the EU in its next electoral manifesto, arguing that the economic case has become too compelling to ignore.
Why it Matters
This potential policy pivot represents one of the most significant shifts in British politics since the 2016 referendum, with implications that extend far beyond party lines. The prime minister’s willingness to reconsider fundamental aspects of Brexit – particularly freedom of movement, which proved decisive in the original vote – signals that the debate is moving from theoretical discussion to practical policy consideration. With economic data suggesting billions in lost growth and tax revenue, and businesses struggling with new trading barriers, the pressure for a fresh approach is mounting. However, any move towards re-engagement with the EU will require careful navigation of public opinion, which remains divided on the issue, and could fundamentally reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general election. The coming months will test whether this renewed dialogue can translate into concrete policy action.