Tories open door to Brexit pact with Nigel Farage's Reform UK to STOP Andy Burnham rejoining EU

Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives have opened the door to a pact with Nigel Farage's Reform UK to block any bid from Andy Burnham to force Britain back into the European Union. Shadow Communities Secretary Katie Lam said “different parties” would have to decide “which side they would fall on” should a fresh campaign to return to the bloc be launched. Ms Lam — who campaigned for Brexit during the referendum in 2016 — pointed to the EU's litany of red tape and low rates of growth as reasons to stay out, arguing such a move would take the country “in exactly the wrong direction”. The Tory frontbencher's remarks could put her at odds with Mrs Badenoch, who has repeatedly vowed not to join forces with Reform UK. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Ms Lam told The i Paper: “I think to conclude that, to go back into the EU, which takes us in exactly the wrong direction in terms of regulation, in terms of agility, in terms of spend, I think is completely mad, let alone appallingly undemocratic." She insisted her party were "completely united" in blocking any attempt to reverse Brexit, despite large swathes of the party backing Remain more than a decade ago. She said: “There is no world in which that is a good idea,” she said, arguing that the 2016 vote could not simply be overturned because Burnham disagreed with its outcome. “The referendum was only a decade ago… and what he’s (Burnham) just decided unilaterally, (is) that this doesn’t count any more because he doesn’t like it, I think (is) outrageous." Ms Lam argued that any move to drag Britain back into the EU would take the country 'in exactly the wrong direction' | HOUSE OF COMMONS Ms Lam's comments come just days after the Prime Minister confirmed he will consider pushing for Britain to rejoin the EU . The Prime Minister, who promised voters in Brexit-backing Makerfield he would not try to return Britain to the EU in May, told GB News rejoining the bloc is one of the options he is considering for London's long-term relationship with Brussels. Mr Burnham said he could not “leave Britain out” of discussions about Britain's future relationship with the EU and insisted he had to consider all options. Speaking to the People's Channel last week, the Prime Minister said: “We look at all options. The speech was about deciding the long-term direction for this country. Where do we want to be in 10 years' time? BREXIT BETRAYAL? - READ THE LATEST: 'Do not defend badly handled Brexit because it is toxic with voters,' says veteran Tory MP Germany vows to help Andy Burnham reverse Brexit as Prime Minister weighs up second EU referendum Andy Burnham branded a 'con man' after paving way for Brexit U-turn: 'Master of fake authenticity!' Mrs Badenoch has repeatedly vowed not to join forces with Reform UK | PA “And I don't think we now can leave that question unanswered. An option is to stay as we are. Of course, that's an option. “But public opinion has shifted in that decade, including in Makerfield, and it's right that I say, well, here are the options. “George Osborne's put an option forward. Canada have talked about a different relationship with the European Union. “I can't leave Britain out of those discussions. We do have to have an honest and grown-up conversation about well, what could a future relationship look like? “And then come back to the public and say, well, here are the broad options, and here are the issues involved with each of them. That's just the right way to lead. I've got to do what's best for this country." Mr Burnham said he could not 'leave Britain out' of discussions about Britain's future relationship with the EU | GETTY Labour's 2024 manifesto explicitly ruled out returning to the EU, single market or customs union and restoring freedom of movement. Despite the Prime Minister's remarks, some figures from within his party warned against dragging Britain back into the bloc. Graham Stringer, a prominent pro-Brexit Labour MP, told GB News: "Any talk about going back in now is just signalling to voters who support the EU, but it's not real politics. "I think that trying to sneak back in bit by bit by giving decisions to other countries is a major mistake." Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also warned Labour would risk creating economic uncertainty by reigniting the 2016 debate. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter