# Burnham to tell MPs rejecting EU ties is 'dereliction of duty'

> The prime minister will argue closer EU relations could control immigration and boost growth as parliament debates rejoining the bloc.
- Title: Burnham to tell MPs rejecting EU ties is 'dereliction of duty'
- Summary: The prime minister will argue closer EU relations could control immigration and boost growth as parliament debates rejoining the bloc. Andy Burnham will tell…
- Keywords: andy burnham, european union, brexit, labour party, eu membership, parliament, politics, news, Burnham, tell, MPs, rejecting
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-andy-burnham-eu-mps-commons-speech-b3065005.html
- Published: 2026-10-12T07:53:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, european union, brexit, labour party, eu membership, parliament, politics, news
## Burnham calls for closer EU ties
Prime minister Andy Burnham will tell MPs on Monday that seeking closer ties with Brussels is essential, calling it a dereliction of duty not to pursue a new deal.

> Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.
## Burnham says Brexit has done harm
Burnham will argue closer EU relations could help control immigration and boost growth. He has previously said Brexit has done more harm than good.
## Labour voters back EU rejoin talks
Polling by European Movement UK found nearly three-quarters of Labour voters want the party to include talks to rejoin the European Union in its next election manifesto.
## Rejoin would require major concessions
France's president Emmanuel Macron has warned there would be no halfway house on membership requirements. The UK would likely have to join the Euro and Schengen zone.
## UK would lose its previous rebate
The UK rebate, negotiated by Margaret Thatcher in nineteen eighty-four, reduced Britain's EU budget contribution by around sixty-six percent. The UK would be unlikely to recover it.
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham will tell MPs on Monday that seeking closer EU ties is essential, calling it a dereliction of duty to maintain the status quo after Brexit.