Burnham and Healey clash over Britain's future EU relationship

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 12:17 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants to reopen debate on Britain's relationship with the EU, but Chancellor John Healey says the country must make the best of its current position.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reopened debate on Britain's relationship with the European Union this week, saying the country's departure had weakened the economy. He has suggested it is possible Labour's next election manifesto could include an in-out referendum on rejoining the EU and said he wants an honest discussion about readopting freedom of movement with the bloc. He has also admitted he wants to see Britain rejoin the European Union in his lifetime.

Chancellor John Healey has taken a different stance. When asked whether growth would be stronger if Britain was in the EU or single market, he told LBC: "Well, I don't actually accept that." He acknowledged that Brexit has hit growth and trade levels but said: "We had a referendum. We're out of the European Union."

When pressed on whether EU single market access could boost growth by as much as 5 per cent of GDP, Healey said this was part of a bigger conversation the prime minister wants to have, noting that "our Brexit deal was not a good one". Healey, who is ten years older than Burnham, told Channel 4 News that he does not expect to see Britain rejoin the EU in his lifetime and that his job is to make the most of Britain's current position.

The Guardian reports that opinion polls show nearly 60 per cent of Britons regard Brexit as a mistake, with just a third still in favour. The accumulated cost of cutting links with Britain's biggest trading partner is estimated at 6 to 8 per cent of GDP. The Guardian also reports that almost a quarter of those who voted for Brexit now regret it.

Despite their apparent disagreement, both Burnham and Healey are pursuing closer EU ties. Burnham is set to meet EU chiefs for a key summit in Brussels on 20 November, where he wants to lock in deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme. Burnham has said he would not move ahead of public opinion or move ahead of Labour's 2024 election pledge to honour the referendum in this parliament.

How it is being reported

• Burnham and Healey clash yet again on BrexitThe prime minister has admitted he wants to see Britain rejoin the European Union in his lifetime – but his chancellor is not so sureThe Independent · 30 Oct, 10:05
• Opening the EU debate again is clearly a political minefield. But we have to do it | Simon JenkinsAndy Burnham must tread cautiously, but Brexit was a very grave act of self-harm – and he is right to address it Andy Burnham’s opening debate on whether Britain should rejoin the EU is divisive, painful and politically risky. That is why it should be welcomed. To jeopardise his popularity so soon after coming to office might seem reckless, but the issue is urgent and not going away. Brexit is continuing to damage the nation’s economy. The prime minister’s job is to challenge, if not reform it. The Brexit decade has evoked a bizarre sense of guilt among Britons. Opinion polls show nearly 60%…The Guardian · 30 Oct, 06:00
• 'We Had A Referendum': Cabinet Split As Healey Appears To Disagree With Burnham Brexit StanceJohn Healey seemed to be in disagreement with Andy Burnham over the impact leaving the EU has had on the UK. The prime minister said this week that Britain’s decision to leave the EU had weakened the economy and the country’s control over immigration . Burnham also suggested it was “possible” Labour’s next election manifesto might including another referendum on rejoining the bloc. He then sparked a major row when he revealed he wants an “honest discussion” about the UK possibly readopting freedom of movement at the weekend. It comes as Burnham looks to tighten UK-EU ties in summit with the…HuffPost UK · 29 Oct, 12:29
• Chancellor and Burnham at odds over Brexit: ‘We had a referendum’Asked whether growth would be stronger if Britain was in the EU or single market, Mr Healey told LBC: ‘Well, I don’t actually accept that’The Independent · 29 Oct, 11:39

In this story: Andy Burnham · John Healey · European Union · Labour · Britain · Brussels

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