Burnham Says UK Could Move 'All the Way' Toward Rejoining EU as PM Sets Out Long-Term Options

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that rejoining the European Union is among the possibilities his government could examine as it seeks to settle Britain's long-term relationship with the bloc.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the prime minister said he wanted to build a national consensus around a single option that would clarify where the UK stands for years to come.

His remarks came the morning after he delivered his first speech to the Labour Party conference as prime minister on Tuesday, a milestone appearance that set the tone for his leadership.

Burnham was asked directly about the country's future ties with Brussels and responded that a full return to membership could not be ruled out, telling the programme the UK could go "all the way" toward rejoining.

The prime minister stressed that no decision had been taken, describing a range of choices that ministers would need to weigh carefully.

"There are clearly options that need to be considered, and we have to look at what is doable and what would be the pros and cons of each," he said.

He also made clear that the status quo remained on the table, saying the UK "could stay as we are", adding that this was "definitely an option" if people believe it is the right place to stay.

The comments mark a notable moment in the debate over Britain's post-Brexit direction, signalling that a sitting prime minister is willing to discuss full EU membership publicly rather than treating it as a taboo subject.

Since the UK formally left the EU in 2020, the relationship has been governed by a trade and cooperation agreement that reduced barriers to goods but introduced new checks, paperwork and costs for exporters.

Successive governments have tinkered at the edges of that deal, seeking to ease friction in areas such as Northern Ireland trade and professional qualifications, without reopening the fundamental question of membership.

Burnham's language suggests a different approach, one focused on defining an endpoint rather than managing incremental adjustments.

His call to "find consensus" reflects the political difficulty of the issue, which has divided parties, regions and families across the UK for more than a decade.

Polls in recent years have shown a gradual shift in public opinion, with more voters now telling surveyors that leaving the EU was the wrong decision, although support for rejoining remains contested and depends heavily on how the question is framed.

The prime minister did not set out a timetable for any review, nor did he indicate which option he personally favours, leaving open the question of whether rejoining would form part of a future manifesto.

Any move toward membership would involve formidable obstacles, including the UK's rebate, its opt-outs and the question of adopting the euro or joining the Schengen travel area, all of which would be politically sensitive.

Rejoining would also require the agreement of all 27 remaining member states, some of which have signalled that Britain could not expect to return on the same terms it once enjoyed.

For businesses, the prospect of closer alignment raises the possibility of reduced red tape and easier access to the single market, a long-standing demand from manufacturers and exporters who complain about customs delays.

Critics, however, argue that reopening the Brexit settlement would create fresh uncertainty, distract from domestic priorities such as growth and public services, and disregard the outcome of the 2016 referendum.

Burnham's interview is likely to intensify debate within his own party, where pro-European members may welcome the signal while others fear a backlash in constituencies that backed leaving.

His decision to raise the subject so soon after becoming prime minister also suggests he intends to govern with a long horizon, rather than limiting himself to short-term crisis management.

The prime minister's wider speech to conference on Tuesday had already been framed as a statement of direction for his administration, and the follow-up interview extended that theme into foreign policy and trade.

For now, the government's position remains one of exploration rather than commitment, with Burnham presenting several paths and promising to test which commands the broadest support.

What happens next will depend on how quickly ministers translate that openness into a formal review, and whether the debate he has invited can produce the consensus he says the country needs.