Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Andy Burnham may have put his leadership campaign on hold for now, but the Greater Manchester mayor's foray into the spotlight has made an important mark on Labour history. 

He called for Britain to rejoin the EU in his lifetime, setting Labour on an irreversible course towards adopting rejoin as an official position. 

Mr Burnham is a firm favourite of Labour members, and he has said out loud what many MPs privately think. 

In doing so, he has drawn a line in the sand for any future leadership challenger.
Given widespread upset at the fallout from Brexit, it would be a shock for anyone seeking the top job to fall short of Burnham's position. 

Asked about Mr Burnham's comments, 2024 intake MP Andrew Lewin said Labour would take Britain back into the EU "definitely in my lifetime".

Written by Archie Mitchell

The Brexit Headlines 

Burnham says he hopes Britain rejoins EU

Greater Manchester mayor denied he would be 'hopeless' on the economy as he tried to play down speculation over his political ambitions

Brexit to blame for Rachel Reeves' tax hikes, Labour MP claims

Andrew Lewin has said 'not a single tax' would have had to increase if Britain stayed in the EU

Reeves plans ambitious Brexit reset for young people to boost economic growth

The chancellor claimed the 'youth experience scheme' would reduce the need for tax rises in the forthcoming Budget

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Opinion of the week

Rachel Reeves, addressing Labour's conference in Liverpool.

"Remember how it felt to look on as the Tories took our country in the wrong direction. Austerity. The botched Brexit deal. The mini Budget."

STAT OF THE WEEK

Three in five

Voters believe Brexit has done more harm than good, according to Best for Britain. 

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