Burnham call for debate on free movement with EU draws mixed Labour response
Summary
Andy Burnham called for an open discussion about whether the UK should consider restoring free movement with the EU. Some Labour ministers and MPs backed discussing closer ties, while others and politicians from the Conservatives and Reform UK opposed reopening the issue.Key Facts
- Burnham said staying out of free movement should no longer be a red line in talks with the EU.
- Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner backed an open discussion, saying the government should consider what deal would be best for Britain.
- Labour MP Stella Creasy said the debate should consider effects on supply chains and jobs for British citizens.
- Some senior ministers support closer UK-EU ties that could involve joining the single market and accepting free movement.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that closer EU ties would involve difficult trade-offs.
- Some Labour MPs representing pro-Brexit constituencies are wary of revisiting free movement; Jonathan Hinder has urged the prime minister to rule it out.
- Labour peer Richard Walker called restarting the debate a dangerous precedent and said it would not help young people who are out of work.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised Burnham’s proposal.
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