Burnham says EU free movement would require referendum as he backs migration reform

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday, October 26, that Britain would not return to European Union freedom of movement without a referendum. ITV News reported that he also ruled out rejoining the EU during the current Parliament, while calling for a better relationship with Brussels.

The clarification followed his weekend call for a discussion about free movement. Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Burnham said he would respect Labour’s manifesto commitments. He argued that the existing Brexit arrangements had weakened the economy and immigration control; these were his assessments of the current relationship.

In the same interview, Burnham supported the principles of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, Reuters reported. Asked about extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to 15 years for some migrants, he said settlement should be earned rather than granted automatically. He said Mahmood would announce her final conclusions soon.

Burnham also rejected the prospect of an imminent general election, according to a separate Reuters report. Asked when voters might see a manifesto proposing EU membership, he said his priority was governing. His comments did not announce a referendum date or establish a timetable for Britain to rejoin the bloc.

ITV reported that Burnham wants practical cooperation with the EU to help farmers and food manufacturers and improve coordination on migration. He said he would like Britain to rejoin during his lifetime, but stressed that he would not move ahead of public opinion. The remarks set out a longer-term preference alongside limits on action during this Parliament.

The next scheduled diplomatic step is a November 20 summit in Brussels with EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ITV reported. Burnham is seeking better arrangements with the bloc, while the final settlement proposals remain to be announced by the home secretary. Neither discussion amounts to a new immigration rule taking effect.