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Burnham Suggests Possible Future Labour Referendum on EU
Confirmed
In Short: Andy Burnham, the Labour Party leader, has suggested that a future Labour election manifesto could include a promise for a new in-out referendum on the European Union, according to BBC and Georgia Today reports.
In an interview with BBC political editor Chris Mason, Burnham was challenged over whether he was reopening divisive arguments about rejoining the EU, despite previously promising not to do so during the Makerfield by-election.
Burnham, speaking at the Labour conference, pledged to explore closer ties with the EU at a summit later this year, indicating a shift in his stance on the issue.
When asked if he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, Burnham replied that he wanted to “look at the options,” emphasizing that a referendum “wouldn’t be the right thing to do right now.”
The Conservatives have criticized Burnham's comments, accusing him of trying to “reopen old wounds” from the Brexit years, setting up a potential dividing line at the next general election.
Burnham stressed that he was not proposing that the UK rejoin the EU, but rather exploring options for closer ties with the bloc.
What's confirmed
- Andy Burnham has said it is "possible" a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the European Union.
- The prime minister told the BBC a referendum "wouldn't be the right thing to do right now" but the UK needed to "consider the options" for its relationship with the EU as "where we are isn't good enough".
- It comes after he pledged in his Labour conference speech on Tuesday to explore closer ties with the bloc at a summit later this year.
- As a candidate in the Makerfield by-election that propelled his return to Parliament, Burnham had promised not to "re-run" Brexit arguments and said he was "not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU".
What's still developing
- Chris Mason: Burnham delivers deeply political speech with a personal core Five takeaways from Andy Burnham's Labour conference speech Davey promises tax cuts for millions if UK rejoins EU single market Asked earlier on BBC Radio 4's Today if he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, Burnham replied that he wanted to "look at the options".