Britainupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 22 July 2026Andy Burnham Seeks Honest Discussion With EU On Returning Free Movement
“These latest comments will make clear that staying out of free movement would not be a red line during potential future talks”
“However, in his latest remarks, the prime minister stressed: ‘I can't see myself ever recommending anything that would involve joining the euro or Schengen.’”
Photo: Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street / UK Government and Number 10, OGL 3 · Cropped for layout
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Burnham seeks an honest discussion on UK rejoining EU free movement. Proposals include rejoining EU membership or the single market, requiring free movement.
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Burnham opens EU debate
Andy Burnham said he would welcome an "honest discussion" about the prospect of returning to free movement between the UK and European Union, speaking to the Sunday Times. Burnham told the newspaper, "I think you have to have a very factual, quite evidence-based debate about this," as he weighed options that could include full EU membership or joining the single market.
Burnham said the migration experienced during the years of EU membership was "different" from the challenges faced now, describing it as "generally younger people, not always, but spending a few years, then going back." Burnham also said he could not see himself recommending anything that would involve joining the euro or Schengen, and he stressed that any fundamental changes would require a mandate at a general election due by 2029.
Opposition brands it betrayal
Chris Philp said there could be "no return" to free movement after the 2016 EU referendum, and he argued that a return would mean "handing back control of our borders and allowing uncontrolled migration from across Europe." Nigel Farage said Burnham's comments were a "total betrayal" of Brexit Britain and his Makerfield pitch, and Farage added, "We will fight this dishonesty."
Burnham's remarks drew on his earlier commitment to Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out the return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union. Burnham said he would meet EU chiefs at a summit on 20 November in Brussels, where he is expected to pitch options for a reset of relations with the bloc.
What is at stake next
The debate over free movement is tied to the UK-EU relationship options Burnham outlined, including potentially going "all the way" towards rejoining the European Union or joining the single market. The BBC said Burnham's willingness to re-open sensitive debates has been a feature of his first months in power, and it noted that he had previously committed to Labour's 2024 manifesto red lines.
The Guardian reported that Burnham acknowledged freedom of movement "had very significant challenges associated with it" while suggesting European migration had changed in the past decade. The Independent said Burnham linked the issue to data access, telling The Sunday Times: "Consider what we've lost, which was the ability to be part of Eurodac and all the data collaboration around migration."