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.
Georgia and Armenia have resumed talks on their 225-kilometre border after years of limited progress, with disputes over historical boundaries, far...
China has extended the suspension of its additional 24 per cent tariff on U.S. goods for another two months, while keeping a 10 per cent levy in pl...
Russia and Ukraine are set to return to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a fourth round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, with European participation, security...
The gunman who allegedly killed six people in Poland’s unprecedented mass shooting in central Kraków on Saturday has died in hospital, police said early Monday. The attacker had demonstrated advanced military-style marksmanship skills, according to a spokesperson for the shooting club he attended.
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examining possible far-right influences and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect's home.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-aligned group towards Riyadh on Sunday (8 November), after loud booms were heard in the Saudi capital. The Aramco building was damaged by falling debris.
Azerbaijan is marking the sixth anniversary of Victory Day on Sunday, 8 November, with President Ilham Aliyev visiting the Victory Monument in Khankendi, laying a wreath and paying tribute to servicemen killed during the 44-day Second Garabagh War in 2020.
China has extended the suspension of its additional 24 per cent tariff on U.S. goods for another two months, while keeping a 10 per cent levy in place, as Beijing and Washington seek to maintain their fragile trade truce.
Russia and Ukraine are set to return to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a fourth round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, with European participation, security guarantees and territorial disputes expected to shape the negotiations.
The bodies of 13 migrants have been recovered from a boat off the Greek island of Crete, the Greek coast guard said on Monday. A further 18 people were rescued, with four taken to hospital.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival, with trying to form a government after an inconclusive election. The decision, announced on Saturday, follows a vote that left neither candidate with a clear path to power.
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Qatar’s prime minister at the White House on Monday as efforts to end the conflict with Iran stall, with Washington and Tehran still far apart on the terms of a possible agreement.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment