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Burnham says rejoining the EU is among options the UK will examine

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Brexit has done "more harm than good" and that options up to rejoining the EU should be considered before a UK-EU summit. Outlets differ on whether this is exploration or a step towards a manifesto pledge; Macron and Sánchez welcomed it.

20 outlets · 3L · 9C · 8R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 6). New coverage since the last version from Arab News, CNA, Deutsche Welle, France 24, GB News, The Times of India. Previously: “Burnham says rejoining the EU is among options the UK could examine”.

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The story, neutrally told

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC that the current Brexit settlement had caused "more harm than good" and that rejoining the EU is among the options the government could examine. On Radio 4's Today programme he said the UK could stay as it is, look at a customs union as floated by George Osborne, consider the single market as backed by the Liberal Democrats, or "go all the way". He had made his first Labour conference speech as leader the day before, promising to set out "different options" around a UK-EU summit; the Guardian reports talk of holding it on 20 November.

Labour's 2024 manifesto ruled out joining a customs union, rejoining the single market or restoring free movement, and AFP reports his remarks suggest he may drop some of those red lines before the next election, expected in 2029. Anadolu reports he said he wants to see Britain rejoin in his lifetime but not necessarily now, and the Evening Standard says he declined to rule out a manifesto bid to rejoin. Critics point to his Makerfield by-election campaign, when he said he was "not proposing the UK considers rejoining the EU"; Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin called him "disingenuous" and the Daily Mail called it a U-turn.

Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said Labour "cannot blame a democratic vote from over a decade ago for the consequences of their own economic decisions", while Reform UK's Richard Tice accused Burnham of trying to "sneak us back into Brussels via the back door". Former Labour minister Ben Bradshaw told GB News Burnham was not saying the UK should rejoin but was "trying to start a debate". In Madrid, French president Emmanuel Macron said "Welcome back" and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain would "open its arms"; Macron added that the UK could not "take what suits us and not the rest".

The Guardian reports, citing sources, that No 10 officials are sounding out thinktanks and pollsters on a possible manifesto promise to rejoin; No 10 said a promise to rejoin was never considered for the speech. An EU spokesperson said it is for the UK to set out how it wants to develop the relationship, and EU officials stress that rejoining would require alignment with EU rules.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left3 outlets

Framing
Treats the remarks as a serious review of the UK's options, explaining what each would involve and stressing Brexit's costs and European welcome.
Emphasis
Options explained, No 10 sounding out pollsters and thinktanks, Macron's welcome and EU officials' caveats.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives little space to the by-election contradiction.
Charged language
“Brexit disaster”
For example
“Burnham’s comments sparked joy among pro-EU campaigners” — The Guardian
“Andy Burnham suggests UK could 'go all the way' and rejoin EU after Brexit disaster” — Daily Mirror

Centre9 outlets

Framing
Reports the remarks as an exploration of options with an uncertain outcome, adding Macron and Sánchez's welcome and practical hurdles.
Emphasis
Exact wording of options, manifesto break, European reactions and analysis of divisiveness.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives less weight to Conservative and Reform attacks than right-leaning outlets.
Charged language
“breaking a taboo”
For example
“responding to the possibility of the UK eventually rejoining the bloc with a simple message in English: “Welcome back.”” — RFI
“The Prime Minister said it was still his wish to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.” — Evening Standard

Right8 outlets

Framing
Frames it as a Brexit U-turn or reversal, stressing his earlier by-election stance and political backlash, though agency copy is more measured.
Emphasis
By-election contradiction, Reform and Tory attacks, risk of returning without a referendum.
Leaves out or plays down
Give less prominence to his caveats that nothing is decided and that he is not leaping to a referendum.
Charged language
“Brexit U-turn”“Utter betrayal!”“disingenuous”
For example
“That would be an utter betrayal of democracy.” — GB News
“U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has put the idea of the U.K. rejoining the European Union back on the table for the Labour Party.” — Washington Examiner