British Prime Minister Andy Burnham signaled his openness to returning the United Kingdom to the European Union in the future, but he said it’s not something he’s focused on achieving right now.
After succeeding Keir Starmer in July, the newly elected prime minister and Labour Party leader said he’s committed to securing closer trading ties with other European nations first.
Burnham is set to have his first meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. The meeting could pave the way for a U.K.-EU summit, which Burnham hopes to hold by the end of the year.
“My immediate priority is to build on the good work that Keir did in rebuilding bridges. Because those bridges were broken in the early part of this decade, and Keir did a good job in re-establishing that relationship,” he told reporters as he made his way to the high-level U.N. event in New York City. “What we have got to do is now go to the next level in terms of reaching practical agreement that will further boost the British economy.”
Asked about rejoining the 27-member bloc, Burnham said, “The other issues you discuss — they are for another day.”
The prime minister’s comments leave the door open to putting Brexit’s reversal in the Labour Party’s next manifesto, which will be published sometime ahead of the next U.K. general election in 2029. Burnham currently is working off the party’s 2024 manifesto.
Some members of the Labour Party wish to make overturning Brexit a manifesto commitment, while others argue it’s an electoral liability or a betrayal of the referendum.
The U.K. held a referendum vote on leaving the EU in 2016, resulting in Britain’s exit from the European bloc. The country’s formal exit was eventually executed in 2020.
Burnham’s stance on the issue appears to differ from the view held by Starmer, who pledged to “make Brexit work” by strengthening the U.K.’s relationship with the EU on trade, defense, and security. Starmer explicitly ruled out rejoining the EU, but Burnham remains open to the idea in his early days as prime minister.
Burnham said he plans to address Brexit during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly later Tuesday.