Senior cabinet ministers back Burnham’s call for debate on return to free movement with eu
A debate over closer EU ties
Burnham has called for the UK to consider returning to free movement with Europe. Senior cabinet ministers favour a closer relationship with the EU, potentially including the single market and free movement, as a way to support growth.
He said Labour could include single market membership and free movement in its manifesto without holding another referendum. In his view, fully rejoining the EU would require an in-out vote.
Ministers seek an open discussion
Angela Rayner told the BBC she wanted an honest discussion about the trade-offs, followed by putting the issue to voters at a general election. Labour MP Stella Creasy said the country was overdue for a serious discussion about what EU freedom of movement means.
A senior minister in Keir Starmer’s government described reopening the debate as brave, given how divisive the issue was during the Brexit years. The minister said public opinion now allowed the discussion to begin, including on the single market without a full return to the EU.
Labour MPs warn of electoral risks
Some Labour MPs in Brexit-voting areas fear the proposal could put seats at risk. One MP said colleagues in the north-east, particularly coastal areas, were raising concerns, while another warned that Reform UK could benefit.
Burnham’s latest remarks follow a speech at the party conference last month that raised rejoining the EU as one possible route. The Conservatives and Reform UK criticised his call to reopen the free-movement debate.
Businesses and economists weigh in
Some businesses welcomed Burnham’s move, citing frustration over limited progress on reducing extra paperwork for trade with EU customers. William Bain of the British Chambers of Commerce said the common understanding strategy agreed by Starmer in May 2025 was nearing the limit of what it could achieve.
Polling expert Luke Tryl said people appeared less concerned about free movement after years of high non-EU migration, but could be more concerned about EU budget contributions or joining the euro. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated that lower net migration could reduce the chancellor’s fiscal headroom by £1bn to £5bn by 2031-32, depending on OBR modelling.
Key points
- Senior ministers support discussing closer EU ties, including the single market and free movement.
- Burnham says the policy could go in a Labour manifesto without a separate referendum.
- Some Labour MPs fear the debate could endanger seats in Brexit-voting areas.
- The IFS estimated lower net migration could cut fiscal headroom by £1bn to £5bn by 2031-32.