Burnham Considers Reversing Brexit
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed he’s contemplating the possibility of reversing Brexit and rejoining the European Union, despite lacking a clear electoral mandate for such a move.
During the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Burnham appeared to be testing the waters for a popular agenda while trying to establish legitimacy for his nascent government. He had initially indicated a commitment to moving beyond the Brexit conversation as per the Labour party’s 2024 election pledge, but he now seems to entertain the idea of reopening that debate.
Having stepped into the role of Prime Minister after being appointed in July without a general election, and only securing a little over 25,000 votes, Burnham is contemplating the possibility of overriding the decision made by over 17.4 million voters in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
In an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Burnham remarked, “We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay.” He also mentioned that they could consider what former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne suggested regarding a customs union, explore the Liberal Democrats’ views on the single market, or even proceed with a full rejoining.
These comments followed his address at the Labour Party conference, where he stated that Brexit had been a “disaster” for the UK, indicating a desire to restore relationships with Brussels.
However, it seems Burnham is cautious and waiting to gauge public support before committing to a definitive stance. He noted, “I will see if we can find consensus around one which will give us clarity about our position, and the future of the continent we live in.”
The Brexit referendum has historically been the most significant democratic mandate in Britain, with over 17 million voters opting to leave the European Union, compared to about nine million who voted for the current Labour government.
Despite the substantial support for leaving, Burnham has hinted at the possibility of asking the public to vote again through another referendum. This tactic, often seen in discussions around the EU, raises concerns about re-confirming decisions labeled ‘wrong’ by political elites.
Reports suggest that the forthcoming Labour manifesto might either promise a new referendum or a direct commitment to rejoining the EU without a new vote.
Looking beyond the mandate, Brexit has become a contentious topic due to years of perceived undermining by influential ‘Remainer’ factions in both the Tory and Labour governments, who seem reluctant to embrace the independence that comes with leaving the EU. Significant opportunities, like negotiating a major trade agreement with the U.S. or effectively managing immigration, have reportedly faltered.
Critics of Burnham’s rejoin approach argue that it not only undermines British democracy but also fails to convincingly address the nation’s economic struggles that some link back to the EU exit. Roger Bootle, an economist and Wolfson Economics Prize winner, noted that domestic factors, including taxation and workers’ rights policies, have greatly affected the UK economy, implying that Brexit isn’t solely to blame for the current economic situation.
Bootle, writing for a national newspaper, mentioned that other European nations are not performing significantly better than the UK. For instance, Germany’s growth was only 1 percent in the past year, with France also facing economic difficulties.
Moreover, Bootle cautioned that if the UK were to rejoin the EU, it would likely face punitive conditions, such as increased financial contributions, exemplifying the tough stance taken by EU leadership following the UK’s exit.
Rejoining the EU could also mean giving up trade deals already established by the UK and lose prospects for bespoke agreements, such as with the U.S. or participation in broader trade initiatives.
This change would require British companies to navigate new regulations yet again, impacting modern industries like Artificial Intelligence and potentially putting the UK at a competitive disadvantage against countries like the U.S. and China.
On top of economic implications, rejoining the EU would also mean adopting its latest migration policies. This includes a new agreement mandating all member states to handle illegal immigration collectively, which could lead to the UK having to accept previously unregulated numbers of migrants. This aspect might endanger Burnham’s support, especially in northern regions where backing Brexit was largely about regaining border control.
