UK’s Rayner says no Brexit reopening as Burnham floats EU free movement

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner rejected the notion that Andy Burnham was reopening the Brexit debate by reconsidering a key manifesto promise to prohibit free movement, stating that he is simply attempting to engage in an "honest conversation" regarding Britain’s future relationship with Europe.

Rayner said in a BBC television interview on Sunday that the government remains committed to its promise for the current parliament, but indicated that a future Labour election manifesto could take a different approach.

"I would like us to have an honest conversation about what the trade-offs could be and then put that to the people at a general election," Rayner said. She stressed that this would not involve a return to the arrangements Britain had before Brexit.

Her remarks came after the Sunday Times ran an interview with Burnham where he stated he is willing to readopt the EU’s free movement rules. “I think you have to have a very factual, quite evidence-based debate about this,” Burnham told the newspaper.

Britain is now getting ready for a summit meeting with the EU in Brussels on Nov. 20, at which leaders will address deeper cooperation on defense and security, energy, agrifood rules, migration and law enforcement, along with the next steps in bilateral relations.

A month ago, Burnham signaled openness to rejoining the EU following the next election, arguing the 2016 Brexit vote had left the country weaker and failed to enable Britain to “take back control” of its borders and rules, as had been promised by the Leave campaign.

Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman, said on the same BBC program that suggesting the country should readopt freedom of movement with the EU was “completely mad.”