LONDON: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reopened the debate over Britain’s future relationship with the European Union, saying the country could consider rejoining the bloc.
Burnham said his centre-left Labour government could go “all the way” and propose EU membership after considering the “pros and cons” of different possible relationships with Europe.
The comments have reopened debate over Brexit, which has remained a divisive issue in British politics since the 2016 vote to leave the European Union.
Burnham, who became prime minister in July, told the Labour Party’s annual conference that Britain’s departure from the EU had done “more harm than good”.
He said Brexit had triggered “a decade of low growth” and that Britain must “decide on a long-term relationship” with its largest trading partner.
Burnham said he would set out “different options” for future ties with Europe around a planned UK-EU summit later this year.
Possible options include joining the European single market and customs union, “or we could go all the way”, Burnham told BBC Radio’s Today Programme on Wednesday.
“So there are clearly options that need to be considered, and we have to look at what is doable, and what would be the pros and cons of each.
“What I am saying is it’s not good enough to leave that question just hanging,” he added.