Andy Burnham gags Cabinet on rejoin EU plot as Labour braces for Brexit civil war

Andy Burnham gags Cabinet on rejoin EU plot as Labour braces for Brexit civil war Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper have been identified as Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers Sign up to the Politics Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Andy Burnham has forced Cabinet ministers to stay silent on Brexit despite the Prime Minister opening the door to rejoining the EU. Mr Burnham told ministers "collective responsibility" still applies to Cabinet, meaning anyone who wants to speak out against the plan must resign.

However, the Prime Minister has already gone beyond his commitment to keep all options open, expressing his personal support for rejoining the Brussels bloc in his lifetime. Slapping down dissent from within his Cabinet, Mr Burnham told ITV: “I am also clear that any fundamental change to the direction of the relationship would be for the public to decide and a matter for the next Parliament. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say “We have an agreed mandate for the summit.

This is Government policy to which Cabinet collective responsibility applies. “In the period beyond the summit, Government policy will be to explore options for the long-term relationship with the EU for consideration in the next Parliament. “At the end of this process, we will set out to the country the respective merits and drawbacks of the various options. “It is important that we remain aligned and disciplined as a Government in our messaging throughout this period.

Andy Burnham is gagging Cabinet ministers on Brexit | NO10/FLICKR “It will not be appropriate for ministers individually to advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process.” However, there is precedent for Prime Ministers to temporarily suspend collective responsibility during debates about Europe. Harold Wilson allowed Cabinet ministers Michael Foot, Tony Benn, Peter Shore, Barbara Castle, Eric Varley, William Ross and John Silkin to vote to leave the European Economic Community in 1975.

David Cameron also suspended collective responsibility when Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith, John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers and Priti Patel backed Brexit in 2016. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Nigel Farage skipped Budget following 'physical altercation' with MP John Healey doesn’t blame Brexit for slow UK growth – Chancellor’s six biggest Budget announcements Andy Burnham's Brexit U-turn sparks Cabinet civil war as PM undermines Shabana Mahmood again Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper have been identified as Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers | PA It has recently been suggested that even more Labour ministers oppose rejoining the EU, with 13 out of 28 expressing concerns about the Brussels bloc.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper have all been identified as Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers. Ms Mahmood has been at loggerheads with the Prime Minister over Brexit and migration after being blindsided by Mr Burnham's announcement about freedom of movement. GB News also revealed last month that No10 had been undermining the Home Office by suggesting the UK's departure from the EU was fuelling a surge in small boat crossings.

Protesters demonstrated in favour of rejoining the EU | GETTY Mr Burnham has also come under fire over his stance on Brexit, having told voters in Brexit-backing Makerfield he would not reopen the debate while campaigning in July. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of having "opened his mouth without engaging his brain" after sparking a row about freedom of movement. Mr Burnham insisted: "There is no confusion at all.

“The Government has a collectively agreed position, which I have set out today. Kemi Badenoch issued a damning response in the Commons | PA “It is entirely consistent with everything that I’ve said, including in the by-election.” Mrs Badenoch dared Labour MPs to defy the Prime Minister by speaking out about the UK's future relationship with the EU. She said: “What about the backbenchers? Let's have a show of hands. Who wants free movement?”

Mrs Badenoch added: "I know the Prime Minister doesn't want to look behind him, but nobody raised their hand." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Exclusive Politics Iranian rebels accuse Andy Burnham of 'appeasing' Islamic Republic's tyrannical rulers Live Politics John Healey blasted by Confederation of British Industry over ‘nothing’ Budget Politics Britain could sign up to EU freedom of movement after general election, John Healey admits Politics John Healey insists Labour is 'doing a good job on migration' despite OBR saying arrivals may double over next five years Politics Nigel Farage says Reform UK cannot police its own members over Tommy Robinson support Politics Andy Burnham set to burden John Healey with extra EU costs as Brussels summit risks breaking Budget Politics Chancellor downs pint in Budget celebrations while pub-going Britons face ‘beer tax’ at boozers Politics Landline switchover could leave people cut off from help in emergencies, MPs warn Politics John Healey dodged the big issues facing Britain in a Budget lacking ambition Politics Andy Burnham accused of 'abandoning' Makerfield constituents as locals claim he 'lied to everybody' Politics WATCH IN FULL: John Healey sets out plan for Britain’s finances in first Budget statement Politics Andy Burnham rules out calling general election in next 12 months as Prime Minister says he is not thinking about Labour's 'prospects' Politics Nigel Farage skipped John Healey's Budget following 'physical altercation' with MP Politics John Healey doesn’t blame Brexit for sluggish UK growth – and Chancellor’s six biggest Budget announcements Politics Labour to use £150MILLION of taxpayers' money to 'fund additional large sites to accommodate asylum seekers' Politics WATCH: John Healey leaves No11 ahead of first Budget as Chancellor Politics Budget 2026 Live: Kemi Badenoch calls on John Healey to resign as Chancellor accused of 'making Britain less safe’ Politics Reform faces two by-election tests in Robert Jenrick's backyard in bid to demolish 'uniparty' vote Exclusive Politics British shopkeepers make last-ditch plea to John Healey amid existential threat from dodgy vape shops Politics Andy Burnham's Brexit U-turn sparks Cabinet civil war as PM undermines Shabana Mahmood again Politics Andy Burnham meets Muslim leaders and takes veiled swipe at Nigel Farage Politics Labour MP 'detained for eight hours' after being denied access to West Bank Politics 'He's wrong!'

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