Fastrack · Burnham Set to Urge MPs to Back Closer EU Ties

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will tell the Commons on Monday that Britain should pursue closer ties with the EU. He will argue that refusing a deal, if one can be negotiated, would be a dereliction of duty.

Burnham will argue a new deal could boost growth and curb illegal immigration.
111,000+ signatures back a rejoin petition MPs debate the same day.
The summit was postponed from summer after Starmer announced his resignation.
Burnham said Sunday that Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum.

Why it matters: Burnham is reopening a question that major parties had treated as settled. He told the BBC last month that a future Labour manifesto could possibly promise a new in-out referendum.

Senior Conservatives have vowed to reverse Labour's moves toward closer EU ties.
Businesses warn that dropping trade arrangements could prolong border costs and paperwork.

The story so far

3 steps · since Oct 11

Oct 11Burnham Says Russia Interfered in 2016 Brexit Vote25 sources
Oct 121:09 AMBurnham Set to Urge MPs to Back Closer EU TiesYou are here
Oct 1211:15 AMUK-EU Summit Date Confirmed as Burnham Seeks Closer Ties5 sourcesLatest

How 12 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 12 sources

12 sources · 23 articles · 50% Center coverage

Where they split: The dispute is whether revisiting the UK-EU relationship would bring economic gains or another round of costly division and uncertainty.

Center coverage, 6 sources: The center frames the story around Burnham's duty argument, set against Kemi Badenoch's warning not to reopen the Brexit debate.

BBC News1w+Rejecting closer EU ties would be dereliction of duty, PM to say Associated Press1w+UK and EU confirm date of summit after Burnham says Russian meddling shows the need for closer ties CTV News1w+U.K. and EU confirm date of summit after Burnham says Russian meddling shows the need for closer ties Financial Times1w+Burnham to tell MPs that refusing closer EU ties a ‘dereliction of duty’Reuters1w+Burnham to tell parliament UK needs to consider new deal with EU WPXI Pittsburgh1w+Burnham says Russian meddling in Europe shows need for closer UK-EU ties as he seeks a Brexit reset

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames Burnham as pressing MPs to confront the damage from Brexit, while noting unease inside his own party.

The Guardian1w+Andy Burnham promises ‘serious dialogue’ over UK’s relationship with EU The Independent1w+Andy Burnham will be the man to take Britain back into the EU, Neil Kinnock says Al Jazeera1w+UK PM Andy Burnham vows to renegotiate post-Brexit trade deal with EU

Right3 sources

Daily Mail1w+Burnham faces Red Wall backlash over his bid to unpick Brexit and cosy up to Brussels Conservative Treehouse1w+UK Prime Minister Says Russia Interfered in Brexit Vote, Polish Prime Minister Says Russia Sabotaged Starlink System - The Last Refuge The Sun1w+Burnham is on track to be a bigger failure than Starmer – preposterous Brexit row suggests he thinks we’re all stupid

What’s next: The UK-EU summit is rescheduled for next month. Burnham hopes to secure tweaks to current arrangements and open talks on the long-term relationship.

Ministers want fewer checks on food imports and exports and more migration cooperation.
What evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 referendum did Burnham receive?
Will Labour's next manifesto include a new in-out referendum on EU membership?
How many Labour MPs from leave-voting seats will resist the shift?