Andy Burnham marked his return from party conference by signaling a potential shift in Britain’s relationship with the European Union, calling for a closer connection and describing the past decade as characterized by “drift and division.” He also made direct claims about Russian involvement in the 2016 Brexit referendum, a departure from the approach of previous Conservative governments and from Keir Starmer’s effort to move past Brexit entirely.
Burnham’s comments have drawn attention from EU observers and political analysts seeking to understand what concrete changes his rhetoric might entail. Brussels officials had grown skeptical of British governance during the post-referendum years, viewing the country’s political turmoil with a mixture of concern and bewilderment. The situation improved following the 2020 Withdrawal Agreement Act and the 2023 Windsor framework deal, which softened perceptions of the UK. Starmer’s government pursued cooperation on security, food, and fishing matters while maintaining strict boundaries against rejoining the single market, customs union, or restoring freedom of movement.
Public sentiment on Brexit has shifted considerably, with polling indicating substantial dissatisfaction with the decision. A January 2025 poll found only 11% believed Brexit succeeded more than it failed, while recent surveys suggest half of voters would support rejoining the EU. Economic analyses have estimated UK GDP per capita remains 6% to 8% lower than it would have been without the referendum’s outcome.
However, reversing Brexit would require another referendum, a politically fraught prospect that could reignite divisive national debate. Burnham has not explicitly committed to such a step, instead suggesting a “longer-term discussion” about options. Even the most pro-EU major party, the Liberal Democrats, frames full membership as a distant goal rather than an immediate objective. Alternative arrangements, such as rejoining the European Economic Area under a Norway-style model, could theoretically occur without a referendum, though these would require abandoning Labour’s stated red lines on key areas.
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