Burnham to make case for closer EU ties to MPs

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to tell MPs on Monday, October 12, that pursuing a closer relationship with the European Union could support economic growth and help control immigration. He is also expected to argue that failing to seek a beneficial new deal would be a dereliction of duty. The planned Commons address comes as Parliament returns from recess. Burnham is expected to urge parties to support the government’s approach, while reiterating his view that Brexit has done more harm than good. The claims about the speech have been attributed to Downing Street; its full wording and any specific proposals have not yet been established. At Labour’s conference last month, Burnham said he would explore options for the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe, potentially including rejoining the EU. He said he would set out options around a UK-EU summit planned for November. The summit was postponed from the summer and rescheduled for next month, according to reports. The expected address follows a period in which the government had avoided reopening a wider debate about the UK’s relationship with the bloc.