UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Britain could consider rejoining the European Union as part of a wider review of the country’s long-term relationship with the bloc.
Burnham said the government would examine a range of options, from maintaining the current post-Brexit arrangement to pursuing closer economic ties through the EU customs union or single market, while keeping full EU membership among the possibilities under consideration.
Speaking to the BBC, the prime minister said ministers needed to assess “what is doable” and examine the advantages and disadvantages of each option before determining the way forward.
His comments came a day after he told the Labour Party conference that Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and pledged to set out different options for Britain’s future relationship with its European partners.
Burnham is expected to use a delayed UK-EU summit later this year to outline the government’s thinking on the country’s future ties with the bloc.
The position represents a shift from Labour’s 2024 election platform, which committed the party to keeping Britain outside the EU and ruled out returning to the single market or customs union.
The Conservatives have criticised the prime minister’s comments, accusing the government of reopening the divisive Brexit debate.
Britain voted to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum after more than four decades of membership. The UK formally left the bloc in 2020, following a transition period.
Any move towards rejoining the EU would require a future political mandate and negotiations with the bloc, while closer arrangements such as membership of the customs union or single market would also require agreement between Britain and the EU.
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