Burnham says UK should stay open to honest discussion of free movement with EU

A debate about migration

The prime minister said he would welcome an honest discussion about the possibility of restoring free movement between the UK and the European Union. He told the Sunday Times that the debate should be factual and evidence-based.

Burnham said migration patterns had changed since the period before Brexit. He recalled that many people who moved were younger, stayed for a few years and then returned, while noting that was not always the case.

He also recognised that free movement had brought significant challenges. In 2016, the issue featured prominently in the Brexit campaign, with the Leave campaign raising concerns about rules that allowed EU citizens to move to the UK.

Labour policy and earlier remarks

Burnham had previously backed Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, which rejected returning to free movement, joining the single market or forming a customs union. In a BBC interview in September, he said Britain could go “all the way” towards rejoining the European Union. The Schengen Agreement provides for passport-free travel across EU countries; the UK did not give up the pound while it was an EU member, while the bloc has pressed new members to adopt the single currency.

Makerfield reaction

Burnham won the Greater Manchester constituency of Makerfield in a by-election in June, before becoming prime minister the following month. Makerfield voted to leave the European Union in 2016.