Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will take a “pragmatic” approach to boosting relations with the European Union just a fortnight after he suggested he could explore a full return to the world’s largest economic bloc.
Burnham told MPs on Monday that a summit with EU leaders would take place on 20 November, where he will look to sign off agreements on food standards and energy markets that were proposed by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
But he also appeared to clarify remarks made at the Labour Party conference that he would explore a closer relationship with the EU that crossed so-called “red lines” in the party’s 2024 manifesto. The manifesto said the UK would not re-join the customs union or single market under a Labour government.
Burnham said he was “clear that public opinion currently supports a pragmatic approach like the one I am suggesting” as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of “unpicking the deal” signed after the UK left the bloc.
“Our immediate priority is securing a successful outcome at the summit, and I believe we should then set up a serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term,” Burnham said.
“At every stage, the British public will be the boss.”
He also said: “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.”
His comments in parliament jar with recent statements on his ambition to rethink Brexit.
In his address to party members, Burnham said he would “lay out” options for a “long-term relationship” with the EU to the public.
In following interviews, the Prime Minister said he would consider joining the customs union, single market or going “all the way” with a proposal to Rejoin.
He told MPs that upcoming negotiations with the EU would hinge on growth and controlling illegal immigration. Parliaments in the UK and EU will be required to agree the full terms of new food standards, youth mobility and energy trading arrangements made at last year’s summit.
Government analysis suggested a deal on food could add £9bn a year to the UK economy by 2040. The Conservatives and Reform UK have said they would cancel any deal agreed with the EU if either party was elected into government.
Badenoch hits out at Burnham’s negotiating skills
The Tory leader said Burnham was “unpicking the deal this country signed with the EU a decade after the referendum”.
“He is not going to get a better deal,” Badenoch said. “The EU are tough negotiators, and it’s not just that the EU are tough negotiators, he has already revealed his entire negotiating hand.
“He has just blurted out everything he wants in this statement and I will tell him now, as a former trade secretary, this is not how you conduct negotiations.”
The Father of the House of Commons, Sir Edward Leigh, urged the Prime Minister not to re-open Brexit debates in a follow-up question to his statement.
Burnham responded: “I am not reopening the referendum. I respect the referendum result, as I have just said a moment ago.
“But what I will do is take a pragmatic approach when I can boost growth in the British economy, when I can increase cooperation to get a grip on the boat crossings across the Channel. I will do those things where I believe they can be in the country’s best interests, and the deal that I’ve inherited coming into office represents an opportunity to secure progress on both of those things.”
Burnham later insisted he would not re-visit red lines in the manifesto.