1 comment 1 Next ANDY Burnham has opened a big can of worms by re-visiting the Brexit debate. The Prime Minister has opened the door to bringing back freedom of movement – a major plank of the Brexit vote. Andy Burnham wants an “honest discussion” on free movement Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Burnham’s remarks come ahead of John Healey delivering his Budget on Wednesday Credit: PA Advertisement Even raising the prospect of talking to the EU about this has led to calls for a major betrayal.
Nigel Farage said the move could pave the way for 450 million people coming here and undercutting British labour. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Kemi Badenoch said that this was another example of Burnham’s “foot in mouth syndrome” of speaking before engaging brain.
But was this the same Andy Burnham who said during his pitch to voters in Makerfield that he didn’t want to re-run the Brexit arguments? read more in politics THE SUN SAYS We need a serious PM & TikTok’s Andy Burnham shows no signs of being that man POLL OF THE DAY Has PM betrayed UK over possible return to free movement with EU? VOTE NOW Well, the PM wants an “honest discussion” about closer ties to the EU. His starting point will be holding a summit with the EU where he looks for a better deal since leaving the bloc.
He is committed to the red lines of Labour’s 2024 manifesto which says no return to the single market, customs union and freedom of movement. However, this could all change after an election if Andy Burnham returns to Downing Street. Advertisement Most read in The Sun FIND HER Woman, 37, still missing seven weeks after car discovered 90 miles from hometown TRAGIC FIND Horror as man's body found next to Disneyland entrance sparking police probe 'MURDER' RIDDLE Cops hunt two mystery men after dog walker, 64, 'attacked' in quiet woods We may just be at the end of the beginning regarding the EU question and our ties to the bloc. 1 comment 1
The Sun says in its own voice that the Prime Minister has opened the door to bringing back freedom of movement, a loose phrase, although it later reports his commitment to ruling it out. Badenoch and Farage get full sentences of attack, while The Sun never reports why Burnham raised the subject.
States one side's claim as fact
Minor
“The Prime Minister has opened the door to bringing back freedom of movement”
Why this matters
The Sun writes in its own voice that Burnham "has opened the door to bringing back freedom of movement", with no attribution to the critics who put it that way.
The impression it gives
A reader believes the Prime Minister has signalled that free movement could return.
The context
The Sun's own later sentence says he is committed to Labour's red line of no return to freedom of movement. The Guardian reports he ruled out any major changes in this parliament, and the Express reports he said he would not take Britain back into free movement without a referendum. The article never mentions a referendum.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“no return to the single market, customs union and freedom of movement”
“Kemi Badenoch said that this was another example of Burnham’s “foot in mouth syndrome” of speaking before engaging brain.”
Why this matters
The Sun gives Badenoch's insult and Farage's warning full sentences. Burnham appears only through the three words "honest discussion".
The impression it gives
A reader hears the attacks but not why Burnham raised the subject.
The context
The Guardian reports Burnham's reasons: a harder Brexit than the referendum promised, weaker control of borders, and harm to food manufacturers. None of this appears in The Sun.