Andy Burnham to say it is his duty to pursue closer EU ties

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Add us as preferred source !Andy Burnham Andy Burnham is expected to argue that it is time for a ‘different conversation’ about Britain’s place in the bloc when he addresses MPs on Monday afternoon Nick Gutteridge Chief Political Correspondent Show biography !Nick Gutteridge Nick has covered one of the most turbulent periods in modern British political history, encompassing the rise and fall of four prime ministers, and was previously a correspondent in Brussels throughout the negotiations for the UK’s exit from the European Union Published 12 October 2026 12:07pm BST Andy Burnham will argue that failing to pursue a closer relationship with the EU would be a “dereliction of duty”. In a major Commons address on Monday, the Prime Minister is expected to tell MPs that it is time for a “different conversation” about Britain’s place in the bloc. His remarks will come a fortnight after he used his first conference speech as Labour leader to suggest he could lead the UK back into the union. They follow his claim that Russia interfered with the EU referendum in 2016 – a claim that prompted Conservative MPs to accuse him of “laying the groundwork for rejoining”. Mr Burnham will also use his appearance before the Commons to argue that closer ties with Brussels would help Britain to prevent illegal migration. He will tell MPs that a better relationship would improve cooperation on stopping small boats crossing the Channel from France, and help increase economic growth. The Prime Minister will say the public would expect him to take such a deal, and repeat his claim that Brexit had done more harm than good. A No 10 source said: “Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be. “Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.” The remarks will further heighten expectations that Mr Burnham is preparing to put a pledge to return to the EU in the Labour Party’s next manifesto. In his conference speech last month, he pledged to set out “different options” for a future relationship with the bloc in the autumn. He later said that could include going “all the way” and rejoining. He could also commit to taking Britain back into the single market or customs union. Mr Burnham will deliver his remarks to Parliament on Monday afternoon, after causing controversy with his claim that Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum. He told the Rest is Politics podcast: “I asked the question coming to Downing Street, well was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? I’ve had the clear answer that, yes, there was. “These things are important now to put clearly on the record and I believe help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies, namely, Russia. “I think we’ve been too much on the back foot on that, actually, and we haven’t informed people sufficiently about the extent to which people are seeking to disrupt the political process from overseas.” Asked what the evidence for Mr Burnham’s claim was, his official spokesman said “we know” Russia interfered in the French 2017 election and it was “inconceivable” they “did not seek to use the (Brexit) referendum to their benefit”. He added that the Prime Minister “absolutely accepts the referendum result”. !Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin was accused by Mr Burnham at the weekend of interfering in the Brexit referendum Credit: Getty/Gavriil Grigorov Previous UK governments have acknowledged that Russia tried to interfere in the referendum, but said there was no evidence it had been successful. On Monday morning, Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said it was still the Government’s view that Moscow’s efforts had failed. He told Sky News: “The result is the result. “What the Prime Minister was setting out was that Russia has attempted to interfere in a series of democratic events in this country. The security minister has spoken about this before and he’s been very clear that they’ve attempted to, they haven’t succeeded.” However, Nigel Farage accused Mr Burnham of “lying” about Russia. Asked on Monday whether Mr Burnham’s claim “tainted the [referendum] result”, he replied: “The Prime Minister is a liar.” The Reform UK leader added: “There was no Russian interference, and the Russia hoax has run all the way through this. And I particularly have to mention, you know, my friend and supporter Aaron Banks, who was severely libelled over this, but in the end, I’m pleased to say, won in the High Court. “This is Burnham. This is an out of touch, out of date, Andy Burnham, with all sorts of bizarre ideas.” Recommended Farage pledges to shut down asylum system Read more Mr Burnham’s comments about Vladimir Putin’s Russia were taken by others as an attempt to call the referendum result into question. Katie Lam, the shadow communities secretary, accused the Prime Minister himself of spreading misinformation. In a letter to Angela Rayner, whose department is responsible for how elections are run, she described Mr Burnham’s statement on the podcast as “at best... carelessly vague”. She said it ran the risk of “sowing doubt about the result of a professionally run, independently monitored democratic vote”, adding: “At worst, the Prime Minister could be accused of deliberately sowing doubt on the result of the 2016 referendum, in order to justify his efforts to revisit our relationship with the European Union without a democratic mandate to do so.” Ms Lam asked Ms Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to reiterate to the Prime Minister the “dangers associated with spreading unfounded conspiracy theories”. Meanwhile, Ben Obese-Jecty, the shadow defence minister, accused Mr Burnham of returning to old claims to try to build a case for returning to the EU. He said: “Burnham is clearly laying the groundwork for rejoining by casting doubt on the result and throwing red meat to his base, but in the interim he now has serious questions to answer on the nature and scope of Russian interference.” Join the conversation Show 2021 comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link

The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics Andy Burnham, European Union, Brexit, Brussels, Vladimir Putin, EU Referendum

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