Cameron warns Burnham against reopening EU membership debate

Former prime minister David Cameron has warned Andy Burnham against reopening the question of whether the UK should rejoin the European Union, saying a renewed membership debate could weaken efforts to secure a closer practical partnership with the bloc. Burnham is preparing for talks with European leaders and a UK-EU summit, but the reports describe possible agreements rather than a decision to rejoin.

Cameron said a debate about membership could become “a very long and painful argument” and distract from domestic economic problems. He also warned that signalling an intention to rejoin could reduce the EU’s incentive to offer the UK a stronger partnership deal. Cameron, who campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU before the 2016 referendum, said the country should focus on making the partnership model work.

Burnham has said he does not want the UK to rejoin the single market immediately, while leaving open the possibility in the future. He said he would follow Labour’s Brexit red lines until the next election. The reports describe him as seeking closer cooperation and exploring longer-term options, not as having announced a settled plan for EU membership.