Andy Burnham promises ‘serious dialogue’ over UK’s relationship with EU

PM hails next month’s ‘reset’ summit as first step to closer ties, but tensions over trade may prove problematic

Andy Burnham has promised a “serious dialogue” over the UK’s future place in Europe, saying the existing relationship is “not good enough” as he framed next month’s Brussels summit as a possible first step to EU membership.

The next “reset” summit will take place on 20 November, ending months of uncertainty, with the two sides seeking to sign deals on food and drink, youth mobility and emissions trading, which Burnham hopes could provide a £10bn-a-year boost to the economy.

But the UK remains braced for a possible row over protectionist “Made in Europe” trade rules amid industry fears they could lock out UK manufacturers, prompting the prime minister to pledge he would raise concerns with his EU counterparts.

In a statement to MPs, the first since the party conference recess, an otherwise confident-sounding Burnham said it would be a “major dereliction of duty” for his government to turn away from exploring closer relations with the EU.

“I believe our chances of doing so will be enhanced by being open to a discussion about our relationship with the EU in the longer term. If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have.

“Our immediate priority is securing a successful outcome at the summit, and I believe we should then set up a serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term.”

Burnham denied he was reopening the Brexit debate, insisting he respected the referendum result, but added that he wanted to take a “pragmatic approach” to boost economic growth and improve cooperation on migration.

“It is a matter of record that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election, and we think it is inconceivable that this was the first time,” he said.

Downing Street said the prime minister “absolutely” accepted the Brexit referendum result and believed it to be legitimate, while the foreign minister, Stephen Doughty, said it was clear Russia had attempted to interfere but had failed.

The UK is excluded from Eurodac, a database that holds biometric and ID data to identify asylum seekers and irregular migrants, and exited the Dublin regulation, a legal mechanism to return refugees to the European country through which they had first entered or transited.

Sources on both sides believe they will be able to get other issues over the line at the summit next month, suggesting that a food and phytosanitary agreement would have been reached in July if the summit had gone ahead on its original date.