PM to urge closer EU ties in Commons statement

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 06:30 · Archive

The prime minister will tell Parliament that rejecting closer relations with the EU would be a dereliction of duty.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will address Parliament on Monday, arguing that rejecting closer ties with the European Union would be a "major dereliction of duty". He will tell MPs that Brexit has not delivered on its promises and that the current relationship with the EU is insufficient.

Burnham will say that a new deal with Brussels could help tackle illegal immigration and boost economic growth. He will argue that most of the public would expect the government to seize any opportunity for greater cooperation if it strengthened immigration controls while reviving the economy. A No 10 source said: "It is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be."

The prime minister first pledged to explore closer ties with the EU at the Labour Party conference last month. A UK-EU summit was originally scheduled for summer but was postponed and has been rescheduled for next month. According to the BBC, Burnham told the corporation last month it was "possible" a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.

How it is being reported

• Burnham to urge MPs to support drive for closer EU relationshipHe will call on all parties to support the Government’s approach in seeking a closer relationship with the EU.Evening Standard · 12 Oct, 07:20
• Rejecting closer EU ties would be dereliction of duty, PM to sayAddressing the Commons, Burnham is expected to say that a new deal with the EU could help tackle illegal immigration and boost economic growth.BBC News · 12 Oct, 06:01
• Burnham to urge MPs to embrace closer ties with EUPost-recess statement will focus on damage caused by Brexit and the need to cooperate on immigration and trade Andy Burnham will put Brexit back on the Commons agenda as MPs return from recess, warning that failing to pursue a better deal with the EU would be a “major dereliction of duty”. The prime minister will use a statement to the Commons on the first day back after the party conference break to urge MPs to face up to the damage caused by Brexit, and embrace closer ties with the EU to increase economic growth and tackle illegal immigration. Continue reading...Guardian World · 12 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Andy Burnham · European Union · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem