UK government signals closer EU ties without referendum

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 23:13 · Archive

UK ministers are discussing closer relations with the European Union through an upcoming summit.

UK government figures are increasingly discussing closer relations with the European Union through an upcoming UK-EU summit. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy cited the importance of reconnecting with 'friends in Europe' and specifically highlighted rejoining the Erasmus student exchange programme as a priority, comments she made on Remembrance Sunday.

The remarks have prompted criticism from veterans and others who felt Remembrance Sunday was an inappropriate occasion for EU-related talking points. The i Paper's Anne McElvoy noted that whilst the EU was founded to prevent war, it has not entirely succeeded in that regard, pointing to conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and the EU's current reliance on major member states and smaller nations like the Nordic countries to support Ukraine.

Conservative shadow minister Mark Francois has warned that Andy Burnham intends to gradually deepen UK-EU ties without holding a referendum. Speaking on GB News, Francois claimed that Burnham wants to rejoin the EU but fears losing a referendum on the issue. He predicted that the government would use a 'boiling frog' strategy, softening public opinion incrementally through the summit and closer ties before claiming an election mandate to rejoin fully.

How it is being reported

• Andy Burnham will use the 'boiling frog' strategy to get us to rejoin the EU, warns Mark FrancoisConservative shadow minister Mark Francois has said he does not believe Andy Burnham will offer a second referendum on rejoining the EU for fear he would lose. Speaking on GB News, he said: “The British people, and it's important to restate this, voted peacefully and democratically to leave the European Union. Burnham doesn't accept that. “Burnham wants to rejoin the European Union, despite the fact there's a poll that's just come out showing that there's a clear majority in his own constituency in Makerfield not to do that. “Remember, when he stood in the by-election; you know he tried to…GB News · 9 Nov, 22:33
• The EU is sending Andy Burnham a coded warningAnne McElvoy: Being ‘open to’ talking about rejoining is not in itself a terrible idea, but it could easily backfireThe i Paper · 8 Nov, 18:59

In this story: Andy Burnham · Lisa Nandy · Mark Francois · European Union · UK · Makerfield

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