UK Government Considers Option of Rejoining the European Union

London, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Wednesday that his government intends to examine the option of rejoining the European Union as one of the proposed solutions to repair relations between London and Brussels. Speaking to the BBC at the Labour Party conference currently underway in Liverpool, Burnham said that Brexit in its current form has caused damage exceeding its benefits and expressed his desire to explore possible steps to mend ties. He stated that he did not want the question of the UK’s relationship with the EU to remain unresolved, adding that he wanted to be clear about the path the United Kingdom should follow over the next decade. Burnham declined to confirm whether he personally supports the option of returning to the EU, but emphasized that there are options that warrant study and consideration of what is feasible, as well as the pros and cons of each. This marks the first time a British prime minister has publicly discussed the possibility of rejoining the EU, as all six prime ministers who succeeded David Cameron after the 2016 referendum, including the most recent, Keir Starmer, have avoided discussing a return to European institutions. Since leaving the EU and terminating the membership treaties between London and Brussels, a number of problems and difficulties have emerged that have hindered many aspects of bilateral relations, most notably trade and the movement of people and goods across borders. (End) M.R.N. / M.A.A.