Rejecting closer EU ties would be dereliction of duty, PM to say
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is advocating for a closer relationship with the European Union, arguing that the current post-Brexit status quo is insufficient. He suggests that a new deal could improve economic growth and help manage illegal immigration.
Why it matters
This signals a potential shift in UK foreign policy and domestic strategy regarding the long-term economic and political consequences of Brexit.
Image source, Reuters By Chris Mason Political editor Published 13 minutes ago The prime minister is expected to tell the Commons later it would be a "dereliction of duty" to turn down a closer relationship with the European Union - if one can be negotiated with Brussels.
In a statement to MPs on Monday, Andy Burnham will argue it is time to "face up to the reality that Brexit has done more harm than good" and "the status quo is not good enough for Britain."
He first pledged to explore closer ties with the bloc at a UK-EU summit later this year at the Labour Party conference last month.
Addressing the Commons, Burnham is expected to say that a new deal with the EU could help tackle illegal immigration and boost economic growth.
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