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 reports Andy Burnham's call for an honest discussion on free movement almost entirely through his opponents, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, and names no one who supports the discussion. It speaks of calls of betrayal without saying who made them, and it sets nothing against Farage's claim that free movement would undercut British workers.
Gives a contested claim the last word
Minor
“Nigel Farage said the move could pave the way for 450 million people coming here and undercutting British labour.”
Why this matters
The Sun reports Farage's claim that free movement could bring 450 million people here and undercut British labour. It adds no figure, no expert and no response.
The impression it gives
A reader comes away believing that free movement would plausibly bring the EU's whole population and push down British workers' pay, and that this is uncontested.
The context
The government's own Migration Advisory Committee found that migration is not a major factor in the wages of UK-born workers. A former Labour leader argued that free movement is essential to boosting the economy and public services. The article puts nothing of this against Farage's claim, and it moves straight on to another attack from Kemi Badenoch.
How we know
Our analysis“The government's Migration Advisory Committee found that migration is not a major factor in the wages of UK-born workers.”Love Without Substance
In its own voice The Sun says the idea has led to calls of betrayal. It names no one who made them.
The impression it gives
A reader believes that a broad outcry of betrayal has followed Burnham's remarks.
The context
The only critics the article names are Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch. Other reporting of the same remarks records mixed reactions, including praise from Neil Kinnock.
“Kemi Badenoch said that this was another example of Burnham’s “foot in mouth syndrome” of speaking before engaging brain.”
Why this matters
After Farage, The Sun gives the next quote to the Conservative leader's personal jibe. No voice supporting the discussion appears anywhere in the piece.
The impression it gives
A reader believes that reaction to Burnham's remarks is wholly hostile.
The context
Others backed the discussion. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock said Burnham was treating citizens like adults.