Labour leader criticises Brexit deal but says he will not override voters or rush major moves
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Andy Burnham attacked the current Brexit agreement as too limited for the UK economy and border control, while ruling out an immediate push to rejoin the EU or trigger an early election.
Labour leader Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom’s present Brexit arrangement falls short of what the British public needs, claiming it has weakened both the economy and the country’s ability to control immigration. He argued that the deal created a "harder Brexit than was proposed in the referendum campaign" and has contributed to the small-boat crisis because the UK can no longer return migrants to Europe.
"I’ve said I’m going to be honest and say, in my lifetime I would like to see that happen, but I am not going to move ahead of the public. You have to make sure that the British public are the bosses," Burnham told Good Morning Britain when asked if he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU.
Burnham said he is not proposing a parliamentary vote on re-entry and will not abandon Labour’s manifesto commitments. He called for sensible steps to improve the current arrangement and said he hopes the upcoming UK-EU summit on 20 November can produce a deal that benefits British food manufacturers, which he said have been hit hard by Brexit.
Addressing concerns from constituents who voted to leave the EU, Burnham reiterated that he will not hold a second referendum and that any future decisions will be left to the public. He also supported the home secretary’s plan requiring foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency, describing settlement as a right that must be earned.
Despite recent polling suggesting a rise in Labour support, Burnham ruled out an early general election, saying none is planned in the near term. He described the latest budget as providing "breathing space" for households and businesses, offering what he called "a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel."