From The Independent · · 2m
Burnham's EU deal must be springboard to rejoin, campaigners say
Andy Burnham's new trade agreement with Brussels worth 0.4 per cent of UK GDP is being framed as a stepping stone toward full EU membership after the next election.
In brief
Andy Burnham's new trade agreement with Brussels worth 0.4 per cent of UK GDP is being framed as a stepping stone toward full EU membership after the next election. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to unveil a trade deal with the EU worth zero point four percent of UK GDP on twenty November, with campaigners urging…
Burnham's Brussels deal worth billions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will unveil a trade deal with the European Union on twenty November worth zero point four percent on UK GDP, stripping away border checks on food and drink.
Deal includes youth mobility scheme
The agreement will introduce a new youth mobility scheme and closer working partnership with the EU, allowing young people to live, work and study abroad.
Burnham keeps Labour's red lines
Burnham maintains Labour's manifesto red lines preventing agreements on free movement, rejoining the EU, customs union or single market, despite being bolder than his predecessor.
Future EU membership on the table
Burnham plans to use the Brussels summit to launch discussion on options for the UK beyond the next election, with rejoining the bloc as a possible manifesto pledge.
Deal must be a launch pad, campaigners say
Tom Brufatto of Best for Britain told The Independent the new deal must be a launch pad to rejoin, representing billions for the economy and reduced friction for businesses.
“the new deal must by a "launch pad" to rejoining”
Pro-EU group sees winning strategy
Mike Galsworthy, chair of European Movement UK, said Burnham is doing the hard thing and showing his party that being pro-EU is a winning strategy for the next election.
Business warns on costs and friction
Marco Forgione of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade said removing friction is positive, but dynamic alignment will increase costs and friction for some UK businesses.
Deal includes defence cooperation
The agreement on twenty November is also expected to include defence cooperation and open the door to UK involvement in the EU's military procurement.
Implementation delayed until twenty twenty-eight
Certain parts of the deal will not be put in place until twenty twenty-eight, though those close to talks insist the process will not be derailed by disagreements on industrial policy.
At a glance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to unveil a trade deal with the EU worth zero point four percent of UK GDP on twenty November, with campaigners urging him to use it as a launch pad for rejoining the bloc.
