Burnham opens debate on free movement and future EU relations

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled he is ready to consider a return to free movement as part of the UK's future relationship with the European Union. This comes from his article in the Sunday Times, as reported by Polish media.

What the prime minister said

Burnham said the country needs an "honest discussion" about how immigration to the UK has changed since Brexit. In his view, its nature has changed since the country left the EU. He also mentioned that the UK could seek to rejoin in the future.

According to TVN24, the prime minister said at the Labour conference in Liverpool that he would set out several proposals this year for changing the UK's relationship with the EU. He then wants to build a consensus around one of them. In an interview on BBC Radio 4, he said that staying with the current arrangement is one of the options. He added: "We can also go all the way." He also said that Brexit has done more harm than good.

On Monday 26 October 2026, Burnham told ITV's "Good Morning Britain" that he would like to see a return to the EU "in my lifetime". He added that he would not do it against public opinion. According to Polsat News, he ruled out rejoining the EU before the next election. He also stressed that the current post-Brexit deal is not working.

The government's position so far

Burnham previously committed to the manifesto of his predecessor, Keir Starmer. It ruled out free movement, membership of the single market and a customs union with the EU. There is no information so far about a formal change of policy. The prime minister is talking about starting a conversation on possible options.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called the prime minister's remarks a "total betrayal of the British Brexit". According to the Guardian, cited by Bankier.pl, some ministers backed the idea.

The Brussels summit

Burnham and EU leaders want to reach agreements on food and drink, youth mobility and emissions trading. They are due to discuss them at a meeting planned for 20 November 2026, money.pl reported. Burnham said he would set out options for closer cooperation before the summit.

What this means for you

For now, nothing changes: the rules on entry, residence and work for EU citizens stay as they are. At this stage it is only an announcement of a debate, not a decision to change the rules. If the government were to return to free movement in the future, it could affect migration rules between Poland and the UK. No such proposals have been put forward so far. People from Poland living in the UK should keep following the current rules, including the EU Settlement Scheme and visa requirements.