British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out the possibility of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union during the current parliamentary term, but said he wants the country to become part of the bloc again within his lifetime.
Burnham said he would not take steps that went beyond the public’s wishes, while expressing his willingness to work towards securing a better agreement with Brussels.
He also dismissed the prospect of a general election in the near future, amid speculation that he might seek a fresh mandate through an early election. These rumours have intensified following an increase in Labour Party support in opinion polls and renewed debate about the possibility of rejoining the EU.
Speaking about Brexit on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Burnham said developments had not unfolded as predicted when the UK left the EU, particularly regarding immigration.
“I think we have less control now,” he said, arguing that the crisis involving small-boat crossings of the English Channel was linked to the inability to return migrants to their countries of origin in the same way as before.
However, the prime minister stressed that he was not proposing changes during the current parliamentary term and would not depart from the red lines set out in Labour’s election manifesto.
“I am respecting what I told voters in Makerfield, but I am not going to stand here today and say that the deal we currently have is good enough for Britain. I don’t think it is,” Burnham said.
He added that relations with the EU could be improved and that he would lead a discussion on how to secure a better agreement that would have public support.
