Andy Burnham has been accused of “betraying Brexit Britain” and threatening to hand control of the country’s borders back to Brussels after suggesting the UK could restore freedom of movement with the European Union.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the remarks a betrayal of voters, while the Conservatives vowed to oppose any attempt to reverse one of the central outcomes of the 2016 referendum.
The backlash follows an interview with The Sunday Times in which Burnham called for an “honest discussion” about restoring free movement, arguing that immigration patterns had changed since Britain left the EU.
“Freedom of movement had very significant challenges associated with it and I spoke about them in my previous time in parliament”, Burnham said.
“But, at the same time, it was a type of immigration that perhaps wasn’t as difficult [as now]”.
He argued that EU migration had often been temporary, with workers spending several years in Britain before returning home, whereas more recent arrivals were increasingly settling permanently.
“The balance of migration has changed, hasn’t it, since then? I think we’ve just got to have an honest discussion about those things”, he added.
Tories and Reform attack Brexit shift
“This is a total betrayal of Brexit Britain and Burnham’s Makerfield pitch”, Farage said.
“He is also deluded to say immigration was different when we were members of the EU. We will fight this dishonesty”.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused the prime minister of seeking to surrender control of Britain’s immigration system.
“Andy Burnham knows full well that a return to EU free movement would mean handing back control of our borders and allowing uncontrolled migration from across Europe”, he said.
“The British people voted to end free movement, and there can be no return to it”.
Philp added that the Conservatives would oppose any attempt to restore the arrangement, arguing that immigration policy should be determined in Britain rather than Brussels.
Burnham, who became prime minister in July, has increasingly signalled his willingness to reconsider Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Last month, he said the government should examine options ranging from closer economic cooperation to rejoining the single market, customs union or EU itself.
However, Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out a return to free movement, the single market and the customs union.
Burnham has not committed to restoring free movement but said keeping Britain outside the arrangement would not be a red line in future negotiations.
He also ruled out recommending that Britain adopt the euro or join the Schengen passport-free travel area.
The debate comes ahead of a planned UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November, where Burnham is expected to discuss closer ties with European leaders.