Andy Burnham plans to sign preliminary sector agreements in Brussels and hold talks in Dublin while keeping future membership in the single market on the table. However, senior ministers remain split, with Angela Rayner suggesting manifesto changes be delayed until the next election and Jonathan Reynolds questioning the wisdom of re-entering the customs union. The shift has also drawn pushback from backbenchers and outside figures who believe relitigating the 2016 referendum risks destabilizing parliament.
Key points
The Prime Minister is preparing to reopen long-term discussions about returning to the Eu…: The Prime Minister is preparing to reopen long-term discussions about returning to the European Union and its single market.
Senior cabinet members remain divided over whether rejoining the single market or customs…: Senior cabinet members remain divided over whether rejoining the single market or customs union is politically or economically viable.
Critics and backbench MPs fear the strategy will revive painful referendum divisions and…: Critics and backbench MPs fear the strategy will revive painful referendum divisions and consume excessive parliamentary time.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
There is renewed attention on the prime minister's push for closer relations with Europe - and that is causing ripples in his own party and others.
Andy Burnham told his Cabinet earlier this week: "I firmly believe we have ended up with a harder Brexit than people voted for… no sensible person thinks the deal negotiated by the Tories is working for the country."
It comes ahead of a week which will focus minds on the UK's relationship with the bloc. On Thursday, at a gathering of European leaders in Dublin, Burnham will for the first time meet those who could prove pivotal as he sells his vision for Britain's future in the bloc.
And next week, he will deliver a speech on foreign policy, in which – for Burnham – Europe is a central plank. He will then travel to Brussels for a UK-EU summit to sign new agreements on food, energy and youth mobility.
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