UK Considers Option of Returning to the European Union

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Wednesday that his government intends to consider rejoining the European Union as one of the proposed solutions to repair relations between London and Brussels.

Speaking to the BBC at the ruling Labour Party’s conference in Liverpool, Burnham said that Brexit in its current form has caused more harm than benefit and expressed his desire to explore possible steps to mend ties.

He stated that he did not want to leave the question of the UK’s relationship with the EU unresolved, adding that he wanted to be clear about the path he wants the United Kingdom to follow over the next decade.

Burnham declined to confirm whether he personally supports the option of returning to the EU, but he emphasized that there are options that warrant study and consideration of what is feasible, as well as the pros and cons of each alternative.

This marks the first time a British prime minister has publicly discussed the possibility of rejoining the EU, as all six former prime ministers who succeeded David Cameron after the 2016 referendum, including the most recent, Keir Starmer, have refused to discuss the option of returning to European institutions.

Since leaving the EU and terminating the membership treaties between London and Brussels, a number of problems and difficulties have emerged, hindering many aspects of bilateral relations, most notably trade and the movement of people and goods across borders.