Prime Minister Andy Burnham has firmly denied suggesting a return to free movement during ongoing negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Speaking in an interview with ITV, Burnham emphasized that any future decisions regarding the UK's relationship with the EU must be driven by the will of the British people. He stated clearly that he has not proposed reinstating freedom of movement, noting that the public must remain the ultimate authority on Brexit-related matters.
Burnham's comments emerged as two senior government ministers expressed caution regarding speculation about the UK rejoining the EU or the single market. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated her commitment to Labour's manifesto, which explicitly rules out a return to free movement. She highlighted that while there have been significant issues with migration control post-Brexit, particularly due to the loss of access to EU-wide databases, the government remains bound by its election promises not to reopen this question in the current parliament.
In his interview, Burnham called for an honest discussion about how leaving the EU has altered migration dynamics. He argued that the previous pattern of short-term movement from Europe has been replaced by long-term settlement involving larger numbers of dependents from other regions, a phenomenon he referred to as the "Boriswave." Despite acknowledging that public opinion on EU membership may have shifted over the last decade, Burnham insisted he would not run ahead of public sentiment.
The Prime Minister indicated that an upcoming EU summit in November is expected to finalize agreements on food and drink standards, emissions trading, and a youth mobility deal. Following these discussions, talks will focus on securing a long-term stable arrangement with Brussels, with all options remaining on the table. Reports suggest a draft text has been circulated among the 27 EU member states, indicating a final deal is near. Additionally, it was reported that UK ministers are prepared to allocate up to £450 million annually to offer discounted university fees to EU students if granted access to the Made in Europe industrial programme.
Immigration Minister Anna Turley also weighed in on the matter, stating her priority is to stabilize the current system and create jobs for young British people. She emphasized the need for a controlled immigration framework that addresses illegal migration via small boats and improves removal processes. Mahmood confirmed she had discussed these issues with Burnham, agreeing that while an open debate about the terms of Brexit is necessary ten years on, the government's manifesto commitments regarding free movement will not change during this parliamentary term.
Sources: The Guardian World.