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 Labour Party’s ongoing conference in Liverpool, he said that the current form of the Brexit withdrawal agreement has caused damage that outweighs its benefits, 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 the United Kingdom should follow over the next decade.

While refusing to confirm whether he personally supports the option of returning to the EU, 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 acknowledged the possibility of rejoining the EU. All six prime ministers who succeeded David Cameron after the 2016 referendum, up to the most recent, Keir Starmer, have declined to discuss the option of returning to European institutions.

Since leaving the EU and terminating its membership treaties, 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.