Rejecting closer EU ties would be dereliction of duty, PM to say

Rejecting closer EU ties would be dereliction of duty, PM to say

The prime minister is set to address the Commons later with a strong message that rejecting a closer partnership with the European Union—if such an agreement can be reached—would amount to a “dereliction of duty.” In his statement, Andy Burnham will emphasize the need to acknowledge the negative consequences Brexit has had, stating that “the status quo is not good enough for Britain.”

Earlier commitments set the stage for this announcement, as Burnham pledged at last month’s Labour Party conference to explore the possibility of strengthening ties with the EU. He is expected to argue that a new arrangement with Brussels could not only help curb illegal immigration but also stimulate economic growth. Burnham believes that if such a deal were negotiated, it would meet the expectations of the vast majority of the UK public.

Burnham has also hinted at the potential inclusion of a new in-out referendum on the EU in a future Labour election manifesto, something he described as “possible” during a recent BBC interview. Although a UK-EU summit originally scheduled for the summer was postponed following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer, it has now been rescheduled for the coming month. The prime minister aims to adjust the existing framework between London and Brussels, while sparking a broader dialogue about the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU.

A source from No 10 explained that Burnham understands the reluctance of some politicians to accept that Brexit has failed to deliver on its promises. However, the source stressed, “It’s time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be. Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.” During his Labour conference speech, Burnham noted that Brexit has “weakened” immigration control by disrupting cooperation with European partners, a collaboration the UK is still striving to restore. On the other hand, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, speaking at her party’s conference, described reopening the Brexit debate as “a terrible idea,” warning of lost time, economic uncertainty, and repeated arguments with the EU. The Commons will reconvene on Monday after a recess during which various party conferences were held

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