Burnham says any return to EU free movement would need a referendum

Andy Burnham said any restoration of free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union would require a referendum. He also said he would not introduce such an arrangement without approval from voters.

Burnham said he wanted a public discussion about whether free movement could eventually be restored. He said he would not move ahead of the British public on changes linked to Brexit.

The Labour politician also said he would like the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union during his lifetime. At the same time, he said he was not proposing UK membership of the bloc during the current Parliament.

Burnham ruled out major changes to the UK’s relationship with the European Union before the next general election. He also said fundamental changes would probably have to wait until after an election.

He said possible future arrangements would be discussed around the November meeting involving European Union leaders. Burnham is scheduled to meet EU leaders in Brussels on November 20, 2026.

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto sets out a different current position on the main options under discussion. The document rejected restoring free movement and ruled out membership of the EU single market and customs union.

That leaves a distinction between Burnham’s longer-term view and the policy position set out in Labour’s manifesto. Burnham has raised the possibility of a future public debate and referendum, while also saying he is not proposing immediate UK re-entry to the European Union or major changes during the current Parliament.

The next stated point for discussion is the Brussels meeting scheduled for November 20, 2026. Burnham has said broader choices for the UK-EU relationship could be considered around that meeting, but he has also placed major changes after a general election.

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