Andy Burnham cites 65% Leave vote in Makerfield while calling Brexit deal insufficient
The Prime Minister told Good Morning Britain that the current arrangement has weakened the economy and border control, though he ruled out rejoining the EU during this parliamentary term.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
Sixty-five percent of voters in the Makerfield constituency supported leaving the European Union. Prime Minister Andy Burnham cited that specific figure on Monday to explain why he is not proposing a new referendum, even as he argued that the current Brexit deal is not good enough for Britain.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Burnham stated that the departure from the EU has not unfolded as promised during the campaign. He described the outcome as a harder Brexit than originally proposed, noting that the change has weakened the national economy. The Prime Minister also linked the departure to a loss of control over immigration, specifically pointing to the rise in the small boats crisis.
Burnham explained that the UK can no longer return people to Europe in the same manner as before. He said this inability to send migrants back has created a different form of immigration pressure. The Prime Minister backed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s tougher rules, including a plan requiring foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency. He called settlement a right to be earned rather than granted automatically.
When asked directly if he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he would like to see it happen in his lifetime. However, he emphasized that he would not move ahead of the public or dictate policy based on his own opinions. He stated that the British public must remain the bosses of the decision-making process.
The Prime Minister ruled out major changes during the current parliament. He said he is not moving away from the red lines in Labour’s manifesto and is not proposing rejoining the EU at this specific time. Instead, he said the government needs to take practical steps to make the current arrangement work better. He hopes the UK-EU summit on 20 November will produce a deal that helps British food manufacturers, who he said have been hit hard by Brexit.
Concerns exist among Labour MPs in leave-voting constituencies in northern England and the Midlands. They worry that reopening the debate could give Reform UK opportunities. Burnham addressed this by reiterating that he is not rerunning the referendum. He said the people of Makerfield will decide what happens in relation to Brexit, but the government can take practical steps to improve the arrangements.
Burnham also dismissed speculation about an early general election. Despite polling suggesting Labour is enjoying a popularity boost, he said there is no election coming anytime soon. He told the public to put that idea out of their mind. Looking ahead to Wednesday’s budget, he said it would offer breathing space for people and businesses, providing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
