# Burnham denies proposing free movement return

> The prime minister says any future EU relationship will be decided by British voters, not by backroom talks.
- Title: Burnham denies proposing free movement return · the Guardian
- Summary: The prime minister says any future EU relationship will be decided by British voters, not by backroom talks. Andy Burnham denied proposing free movement in…
- Keywords: andy burnham, labour, brexit, free movement, eu relations, immigration, shabana mahmood, anna turley, news, world, Burnham, denies
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/nov/03/andy-burnham-labour-free-movement-eu-europe
- Published: 2026-11-03T10:09:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, labour, brexit, free movement, eu relations, immigration, shabana mahmood, anna turley, news, world
## Burnham denies free movement proposal
The prime minister told ITV he has not proposed freedom of movement returning in talks with the EU, despite speculation about the UK's future relationship.

> I have not proposed freedom of movement coming back
## Public will decide EU future
Burnham said the British people must lead any decision about the UK's long-term relationship with Europe, and he will not run ahead of public opinion.

> The public need to be the boss when it comes to whatever happens with Brexit
## Honest discussion on immigration needed
Burnham said he wants to discuss how immigration has changed since Brexit, noting that temporary European migration has been replaced by longer-term settlement from elsewhere.

> I do believe that we should have an honest discussion with people about how immigration has changed since the Brexit vote
## Manifesto red lines remain
For this parliament, Burnham is committed to Labour's manifesto red lines, which rule out returning to the customs union, single market or free movement.
## Mahmood backs manifesto commitment
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she wants to abide by Labour's manifesto, which ruled out free movement, and will not indulge speculation about its return.

> What I am keen on is abiding by our manifesto
## EU summit to cement partial deals
Burnham said the EU summit in November will cement a deal on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility deal, with broader discussions to follow.
## UK prepared to spend on student access
The Guardian reported UK ministers were prepared to spend as much as four hundred fifty million pounds a year to give EU students discounted university fees in exchange for access to the Made in Europe…
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham denied proposing free movement in EU talks, saying the public will decide Britain's future relationship with Europe.