Andy Burnham admits Brexit deal is not good enough

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the current Brexit arrangements are not sufficient for Britain, arguing that the departure from the European Union has weakened the national economy and complicated border control. Speaking on Monday, he acknowledged that the reality of leaving the EU has not matched the promises made to the public during the 2016 referendum campaign.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Burnham described the outcome as a harder Brexit than originally proposed. He noted that the change in status has not helped manage the crisis of small boats crossing the Channel. The prime minister supported the home secretary’s tougher immigration rules, explaining that the UK’s ability to control its borders has been diminished because it can no longer return people to Europe with the same ease as before.

When asked directly if he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he would like to see it happen in his lifetime but would not move ahead of the public opinion. He emphasized that the British people must remain the bosses of the process, stating that he would not dictate his own opinions over the collective will of the nation.

The prime minister clarified that he is not proposing a full rejoining of the EU in the current parliament. He described the idea as being far away at this point in time. Instead, he argued for taking practical steps to improve the existing arrangements so that they work better for the country. He maintained that he would not move away from the red lines established in Labour’s manifesto.

Burnham pointed out that Brexit has weakened the economy and has also reduced the government's control over immigration, a factor that might surprise those who viewed immigration as the primary issue in the referendum. He observed that the small boats crisis has risen since the departure, leading to a different form of immigration pressure on the UK.

There are concerns among Labour MPs representing leave-voting constituencies in northern England and the Midlands that reopening the Brexit debate could create opportunities for Reform UK. Burnham addressed this by noting that 65 percent of his constituents in Makerfield voted to leave the EU. He stated that he was not rerunning the referendum but ensuring that the people of Makerfield would decide what happens in relation to Brexit.

The prime minister said he could make practical steps to make the arrangements work better while respecting the decision of his constituents. He highlighted that the UK now has weaker control over immigration because people know the government cannot return individuals in the same way it used to be able to.

Looking ahead, Burnham expressed hope that the UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November would yield a deal beneficial for British food manufacturers, a sector that has been hit hard by Brexit. He also backed the home secretary’s controversial plan to require foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency. He described this principle as ensuring that settlement is a right to be earned rather than something granted automatically.

Despite polling suggesting that Labour is enjoying a significant boost in support, Burnham ruled out calling an early general election. He told the public to put that possibility out of their mind, stating that no election is coming anytime soon. Regarding the upcoming budget on Wednesday, he said it would offer people and businesses breathing space and provide a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.