Will the British open their borders to EU residents? Prime Minister signals U-turn, Farage thunders 'betrayal'

The leader of the Labor Party announced that he would present various options for tightening cooperation with Europe before the key summit with representatives of the UK and the EU scheduled for next month in Brussels.

Burnham - who even mentioned that the UK could apply to re-join the EU in the future - said the country needed an "honest discussion" about how immigration to the UK has changed after Brexit.

The issue of excessive immigration was one of the main reasons why the British public - by a small majority - voted in 2016 in a referendum initiated by the Conservative Party to leave the EU.

Burham wants 'honest discussion'

According to Burnham, the nature of immigration to Great Britain has changed since the country left the EU in early 2020.

It was a type of immigration that was perhaps not as challenging (as it is today), he told the Sunday Times. Revolving door migration – where people came and then left – is completely different. The migration balance has changed since then. I believe that we simply need to have an honest discussion on this topic, he noted.

Burnham pledged to implement the assumptions of the election program of his predecessor, Keir Starmer. This program excluded a return to the free movement of people, membership in the single market or a customs union with the EU. This means that any pursuit of significant changes in relations with the European Union could require obtaining a new social mandate in the next general elections - which are currently scheduled for 2029.

Farage outraged, some ministers in favor

Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, described Andy Burnham's statement as "a complete betrayal of British Brexit", however, as noted by The Guardian, the prime minister's proposal was supported by some ministers. In their opinion, a return to close relations with the EU could stimulate economic growth and involve a possible return to the single market and acceptance of the free movement of people. Among those in favor of resuming discussions is Ed Miliband, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the daily emphasized.

Andy Burnham and EU leaders hope to reach agreements on food and drink, youth mobility and the exchange of emissions limits when they meet on 20 November.