Neil Kinnock claims Andy Burnham aims to rejoin European Union

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised a serious dialogue regarding the future place of the United Kingdom in Europe, according to the Guardian. Addressing Members of Parliament, Burnham stated that new deals with the European Union could foster economic growth and help tackle illegal immigration, as reported by the BBC. Burnham noted that the existing relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union is not good enough, the Guardian added. [1][6][7]

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock said he believes Burnham has an authentic commitment to taking Britain back into the European Union, according to reports by the Guardian, The Independent, and la Repubblica. Kinnock claimed that Burnham's ultimate objective is for the United Kingdom to rejoin the union. In a statement to MPs, Burnham was evasive when asked whether his planned renegotiations would lead to rejoining, telling a Conservative MP that he was getting way ahead of himself, the Guardian reported. [1][8][9]

Burnham has framed an upcoming summit in Brussels next month as a possible first step toward closer post-Brexit ties, according to the Guardian and the BBC. Burnham emphasized that the public will be the boss in any future decision regarding a closer relationship with the European Union, the BBC reported. The Telegraph previously noted that Burnham claimed it was his duty to pursue closer European ties. [4][6][7]

Andy Burnham has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party since July 2026, after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to 2026. Neil Kinnock led the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992 and later served as Vice-President of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Burnham previously suggested that options for closer ties could include remaining in the current arrangement, rejoining the single market, or full re-entry. [10][12][15]