Andy Burnham: Current Brexit Deal Not Good Enough for Britain

Andy Burnham stated on Monday that the current Brexit arrangement is not sufficient for the United Kingdom. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the Prime Minister argued that the deal has failed to meet the promises made to voters during the 2016 referendum campaign. He described the outcome as a harder exit than originally proposed, noting that it has weakened the national economy.

The leader of the Labour Party linked the current migration challenges directly to Brexit. He said the small boats crisis has increased because the UK can no longer easily return people to Europe. Burnham noted that this shift in immigration patterns was not the result promised by proponents of leaving the European Union. He supported the Home Secretary’s plan to require foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency, describing settlement as a right to be earned rather than granted automatically.

When asked if he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he would like to see it happen in his lifetime. However, he clarified that he would not move ahead of the public opinion. He emphasized that the British public must remain the decision-makers. He stated he is not dictating his own opinions but rather ensuring the people of the country are the bosses.

The Prime Minister ruled out major changes to the UK-EU relationship during the current parliament. He said he is not proposing a rejoin at this specific point in time. Instead, he called for practical steps to make the existing arrangement work better. He acknowledged that 65% of his constituents in Makerfield voted to leave, and he promised not to rerun the referendum.

Burnham expressed hope that a summit with the European Union on 20 November will produce a deal that benefits British food manufacturers. He said the industry has been hit hard by the current trade barriers. He also commented on the upcoming budget, claiming it will provide breathing space for people and businesses. He described the fiscal plan as a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

The Prime Minister also addressed the possibility of an early general election. Despite polling data suggesting a surge in Labour support, he said there is no election coming anytime soon. He advised the public to put that idea out of their minds. He maintained that the focus should remain on practical improvements to the current Brexit deal rather than a full reversal of policy.