Burnham promises 'serious dialogue' on UK's relationship with the EU

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Monday that Britain must open a 'serious dialogue' about its future place in Europe, saying the present relationship with the European Union is 'not good enough'. It was his first statement to the House of Commons since the party conference recess, and it matters because next month's Brussels summit could become a first step towards closer ties with the bloc.

Summit goals

The UK–EU 'reset' summit is set for 20 November. The two sides want to sign agreements on food and drink, youth mobility and emissions trading, which Burnham hopes could add £10bn a year to the economy. One EU diplomat described the three issues as 'significant but modest' and said approving them would be a test of UK good faith ahead of the 'real reset'.

Still unresolved is a transition period for UK grain grown with newly approved fungicides not yet licensed in the EU. The hardest issue is the youth mobility scheme, which would let people under 30 live, work or study in each other's countries for up to three years. The sides disagree over overall numbers and the tuition fees students would pay at British universities.

Immigration and 'Made in Europe'

Burnham denied he was reopening the Brexit debate and said he respected the referendum result. He said a return to free movement is 'not on the table' in talks, but could not rule it out for the period after the next election.

He also acknowledged the 'risks' to British manufacturing from the EU's planned 'Made in Europe' rules, which are aimed mainly at imports from China and could block British-made components from EU supply chains. EU sources say no agreement on this is possible at the summit because the bloc has not yet settled its own position. The Netherlands, Poland and Italy back UK inclusion, while France is a stumbling block.

Russian interference

Burnham had to clarify his weekend remarks on Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum, saying he did not believe it affected the outcome. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of being too loose with his language.