# Andy Burnham wants UK to rejoin EU in lifetime

> Andy Burnham says UK could rejoin EU in his lifetime but won't change immigration rules without referendum.
- Title: Andy Burnham wants UK to rejoin EU in lifetime | Shortify
- Summary: Andy Burnham says UK could rejoin EU in his lifetime but won't change immigration rules without referendum. Andy Burnham wants UK to rejoin EU in his…
- Keywords: andy burnham, brexit, referendum, immigration, labour, parliament, politics, news, Andy, Burnham, wants, rejoin
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-uk-andy-burnham-referendum-b3073230.html
- Published: 2026-10-26T12:49:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, uk, eu, brexit, referendum, immigration, labour, parliament, politics, news
## Andy Burnham's Brexit stance
Andy Burnham says he wants to see Britain rejoin the European Union in his lifetime.

> I want to see the UK rejoin the EU in my lifetime
## Burnham on immigration control
Burnham says UK has weaker immigration control now due to loss of ability to return people.

> I think we’ve got weaker control now. The reason the small boats crisis has arisen is because we can’t return people
## Burnham's red lines
Burnham promises to stick to Labour's red lines: no return to freedom of movement or single market.

> I’m not proposing any changes in this Parliament. I’m not going to move away from the red lines that were in the Labour manifesto
## Burnham on rejoining EU
Burnham says UK could rejoin EU but won't do so without public vote.

> In my lifetime I would like to see that happen but I am not going to move ahead of the public
## Burnham's election stance
Burnham says general election won't be called 'any time soon' to avoid rushing rejoin proposals.

> I am not going to move ahead of the public, I am not going to dictate
## Burnham's immigration concerns
Burnham says Brexit weakened economy and immigration control as small boats crisis grew.

> We got a harder Brexit. It has weakened our economy. I think we’ve got weaker control now
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham wants UK to rejoin EU in his lifetime but insists no return to EU freedom of movement without a referendum.