Brexit referendum 'possible' in Labour election manifesto, says Burnham
Andy Burnham, the Labour leader, indicated that a future Labour election manifesto could include a promise to hold a new in‑out referendum on the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union. Speaking to BBC political editor Chris Mason, Burnham said “yes, things are possible” and that the current arrangement “isn’t good enough”, while also stressing that a referendum “wouldn’t be the right thing to do right now”. The prime minister echoed a similar sentiment, noting that while a referendum is not appropriate at this moment, Britain must “consider the options” for its EU relationship as part of a ten‑year plan, ranging from maintaining the status quo to pursuing a closer partnership akin to the EU‑Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement or rejoining the EU customs union. Burnham’s comments follow his Labour conference speech, where he blamed Brexit for losses of control over immigration and the economy and pledged to use an upcoming summit to outline “different options” for the UK’s long‑term ties with Europe.
The prospect of a Labour‑promised referendum has ignited sharp political backlash, with the Conservatives accusing Burnham of reopening “old wounds” and attempting to “restart the battles of the Brexit years”. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice warned that Labour is trying to “sneak us back into Brussels via the back door”, while the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Burnham to move beyond “maybes” and negotiate a better deal, citing his party’s plan to join the single market and customs union. French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez both welcomed the idea of the UK rejoining the EU, describing it as “very good news” and promising to receive Britain “with open arms”. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson warned that any re‑entry would treat Britain as a “fresh entrant state”, underscoring the complexity of any potential return.
The debate over a future referendum is set to become a defining issue in the next general election, shaping party strategies and voter alignments. Labour’s push to “find consensus” on a new EU relationship could force the Conservatives to defend their current stance while confronting accusations of dragging the country “into the European Union via the back door”. Green Party leader Zack Polanski reinforced calls for deeper integration, advocating for rejoining the customs union as a first step toward full EU membership. As Burnham prepares to present concrete options at the upcoming summit, the political landscape will likely see intensified negotiations, heightened rhetoric across parties, and a renewed public discourse on the UK’s long‑term economic and immigration policies in relation to Europe.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economy
- ▶Global businesses tend to hedge their bets when politics gets unpredictable.
- ▶Changes at the top might reshape trade deals and diplomatic ties.
🏙️Local Economy
- ▶Your town's economy tends to catch up with big headlines eventually.
- ▶Corner shops and cafes rarely feel this straight away, but they do feel it.
🏦Rates & Banks
- ▶Savers might see little change until the wider picture becomes clearer.
- ▶Government bond yields typically move first when politics takes a turn.
❤️Health
- ▶Neighbours and families might feel more anxious until the dust settles.
- ▶Community spirit often steadies nerves when headlines feel unsettling.
💷Wealth
- ▶Your overall wealth picture is unlikely to be defined by a single story like this.
- ▶Keeping perspective on your timeline usually beats reacting to any single story.
🏠Housing
- ▶Bricks and mortar tend to hold steady while other markets swing about.
- ▶Mortgage deals may edge around if lenders read the wider mood.