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Burnham Opens Review of Brexit Options and Says Referendum or Rejoin Could Be Possible

EU governments have offered to engage as critics warn that reversing Brexit would be legally complex, threaten existing trade deals, and carry heavy political risks.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (R) speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street on September 03, 2026 in London, England. The French president is on a two-day visit to the UK, which included attending the inauguration of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum in London on Wednesday. Today's bilateral talks with Macron mark the first meeting Burnham has hosted with a world leader at Downing Street since becoming prime minister in July. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Prime Minister Andy Burnham Hosts French President Emmanuel Macron At Downing Street
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 05: Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage addresses delegates during day two of the Reform UK party conference at National Exhibition Centre on September 05, 2026 in Birmingham, England. Reform UK enters its September 2026 annual party conference facing a recent dip in opinion polls, dropping to 22%–23% in national voting intention after peaking at 28% in May. For the first time in over 18 months, the party has slipped behind the Conservatives into third place in select polling, squeezed by a resurgent Labour Party under Prime Minister Andy Burnham and new competition on the right. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a formal review of the UK’s post‑Brexit relationship and told the BBC on Wednesday that a future manifesto could include an in‑out referendum or a pledge to seek re‑entry to the EU.
  • Senior EU figures including Germany’s ambassador and leaders in France and Spain publicly said they would welcome talks and could partner with Britain if the public chooses to pursue closer ties or re‑joining.
  • Reform UK and senior Conservative voices have attacked Burnham’s shift as a political misstep that could hand ground to Brexiteer challengers and deepen domestic divisions.
  • Former trade ministers and economists warn any move to rejoin or to adopt customs‑union or single‑market membership would jeopardise post‑Brexit trade deals, require acceptance of standard EU membership conditions, and face lengthy, complex negotiations.
  • No.10 has begun commissioning polling and analysis ahead of a planned UK‑EU summit later this year, but officials and analysts say any substantive pathway to closer alignment or membership would take years and depend on sustained public and EU political consent.