UK's Burnham open to EU free movement

United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled openness to discussing a return to free movement between the UK and the European Union, which was a key issue in the 2016 Brexit referendum that led to the UK leaving the bloc.

Immigration patterns into the UK have shifted since Brexit – the UK's departure from the European Union in 2020 – Burnham argued, with more arrivals settling permanently, rather than returning home.

"I think you have to have a very factual, quite evidence-based debate about this," Burnham told The Sunday Times newspaper, indicating that remaining outside the free movement area would not be a red line in negotiations.

Expanding on earlier calls to reassess EU ties, Burnham said pre-Brexit EU migration had created significant pressures.

"But, at the same time, it was a type of immigration that perhaps wasn't as difficult (as now)," he said. "Revolving door migration where people would come and then go back is different. The balance of migration has changed, hasn't it, since then? I think we've just got to have an honest discussion about those things."

Burnham has said previously that a new relationship with the bloc could include full EU membership or joining the single market, requiring free movement.

However, he ruled out backing full integration, saying he could not "see myself ever recommending anything that would involve joining the euro or Schengen" – referring to the EU's common currency and its passport-free travel zone.

The prime minister indicated that free movement could be on the table as part of a wider renegotiation with Brussels covering data sharing and migration.

"Consider what we've lost, which was the ability to be part of Eurodac (the EU's asylum and migration database) and all the data collaboration around migration. You've got to see it in the round, rather than just looking at freedom of movement on its own," he said.

Burnham said any changes would need a mandate at the next general election, which is due by 2029, and that while rejoining the EU would require a new referendum, joining the single market or customs union would not.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, UK Housing Secretary Angela Rayner backed Burnham, saying: "It's about what is the best deal for Britain and that's what we are asking the public to look at. We can't go backwards. That's not a possibility for us. We have to go forwards, and therefore you have to look at what that future relationship will look like."

jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com