British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that Brexit has done more harm than good, while reaffirming support for Ukraine and NATO as he used his first Labour conference speech as leader to set out a new direction for Britain.
Speaking in Liverpool on Tuesday, Burnham placed Brexit alongside what he described as decades of damaging economic decisions and signalled that his government would examine options for a closer long-term relationship with the European Union.
The speech offered some of the clearest indications yet of how Burnham intends to reposition Britain internationally after taking office in July, while maintaining continuity on key security commitments.
Burnham said Brexit had damaged economic growth and argued that leaving the EU had failed to deliver one of the central promises made by supporters of the 2016 Leave campaign: greater control over immigration.
He said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and suggested Britain had ended up with less control over immigration rather than more.
Burnham stopped short of committing Britain to rejoining the EU, its single market or customs union. Instead, he said the country needed to consider its future relationship with Europe and indicated that different options would be examined.
The shift is potentially significant for Britain’s relations with its largest trading partner. Burnham has already said a decade of low growth was partly a result of Brexit, while his government faces pressure from within Labour to abandon some of the restrictions it inherited from former Prime Minister Keir Starmer on closer EU integration.
A forthcoming UK-EU summit could provide the first indication of how far Burnham is prepared to go.
On security, Burnham sought to reassure Britain’s allies that his criticism of the country’s recent political direction would not mean a retreat from its international commitments.
He reaffirmed Britain’s support for Ukraine as it continues to fight Russia’s invasion and maintained the government’s commitment to NATO and strengthening national defence.
The position continues the approach Burnham has taken since entering Downing Street. Ukraine was the destination for his first overseas visit as prime minister in August, when he said British support would not waver and that “Ukraine’s security is our security”.
Britain has also remained closely involved in European efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s long-term security and deter further Russian aggression.
The issue has become increasingly pressing amid concern across Europe over Russian military and hybrid activity. NATO members are simultaneously under pressure to increase defence spending and take greater responsibility for European security.
Burnham also addressed the war in Gaza, reiterating Britain’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He presented that position as part of Britain’s wider international role, while maintaining support for Israel’s security and condemning the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.
The reference is significant internationally as Burnham seeks to define his government’s approach to the Middle East following months of pressure within the Labour Party over Gaza.
His government has already taken a tougher approach towards the Israeli government, including measures targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Burnham has nevertheless sought to balance criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza with support for Israel’s security and opposition to threats from Iran.
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