Name? Andy Burnham
Westphalian identity? British
Age? 56
Why is he in the news? At the European Council summit on 15 and 16 October, European leaders were questioned about their sentiments on the United Kingdom (UK) rejoining the European Union (EU). This line of questioning follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments late last month openly raising the UK’s possibility of rejoining the EU. The positive response from EU leaders has highlighted the potential of a UK-EU deal in the near future.
Why do we care? Burnham’s position on the EU is an acceleration of his predecessor Keir Starmer’s approach, and a significant shift from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party that saw Brexit’s finalisation. Burnham’s stance redefines the UK’s “Global Britain” strategy, reflecting the growing sentiment amongst the public that the UK should rejoin the EU, with 59% of the population in support of the idea.
Why should you care? Even partial reintegration under Burnham would embolden the EU. In 2020, the UK’s net public sector contribution to the EU was £12.6 billion. Now add on top of that its military and nuclear capabilities. Burnham could help solve security challenges posed by Russia and stabilise financial flows in the face of a protectionist United States.
Who else cares? Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, Bernd Lange, stated that the UK could join the EU in a deal similar to the one Switzerland signed in March. Switzerland’s arrangement involves free movement and regulatory alignment without full membership, in exchange for the UK’s contribution to the EU’s economic and cohesion fund, and could be achieved within a single UK Parliamentary cycle.
Any further comments? Since Brexit, polarisation and instability have become endemic to the UK, with six Prime Ministers since the 2016 referendum. The question now remains whether Burnham can hold office until the next general election due by 2029.
