UK PM Burnham calls for honest discussion on returning to EU freedom of movement
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Britain should have an honest discussion about EU freedom of movement for workers as part of a broader reset with Brussels, ahead of a November summit with EU leaders.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants an honest discussion about returning to the European Union's freedom of movement rules for workers, reopening one of the most divisive issues of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Burnham acknowledged that the influx of EU workers into Britain before Brexit had posed significant challenges, but argued that the character of migration has since changed. "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," he said. He argued freedom of movement should be considered in the round, as part of a broader reset of relations with Brussels covering data sharing and migration cooperation, including Britain's lost access to the Eurodac database.
The comments come as long-term net migration to the UK has nearly halved, falling to 171,000 in 2025 from 331,000 a year earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics. Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister in the summer, has previously said Brexit did "more harm than good" and that Britain should consider its long-term relationship with the EU, possibly including rejoining one day.
The reaction underlines the political risk. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the comments a "total betrayal of Brexit Britain", while former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt warned that reopening the referendum debate would be a mistake. Burnham has said he would not restore freedom of movement without a referendum, would not move ahead of the public, and could not imagine recommending adoption of the euro or the Schengen border-free area. A new referendum would be needed to rejoin the EU, though not necessarily to join the single market or a customs union.
Burnham is due to meet senior EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at a summit on 20 November, where he is expected to present options for improving Britain's relationship with the bloc, including practical cooperation on migration, farming and food manufacturing.
