# Half of UK backs EU return, Burnham considers options

> A new poll shows 49 percent of voters support rejoining the EU, as the prime minister signals he could propose it in Labour's next manifesto.
- Title: Half of UK backs EU return, Burnham considers options
- Summary: A new poll shows 49 percent of voters support rejoining the EU, as the prime minister signals he could propose it in Labour's next manifesto. Nearly half of…
- Keywords: andy burnham, brexit, eu rejoining, uk politics, labour party, nigel farage, emmanuel macron, pedro sanchez, politics, news, Half, backs
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-uk-rejoin-eu-poll-burnham-labour-b3060749.html
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:45:55+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: andy burnham, brexit, eu rejoining, uk politics, labour party, nigel farage, emmanuel macron, pedro sanchez, politics, news
## Poll shows strong support for EU return
A megapoll of eleven thousand four hundred sixty-one people found forty-nine percent support rejoining the EU, compared to twenty-eight point five percent against, according to the Messina Group.
## EU option could boost Labour votes
The poll found that renegotiating the UK's relationship with the EU could boost Labour's vote share by as much as seven points, with most votes shifting from the Greens and Liberal Democrats.
## Burnham signals manifesto could include referendum
Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged he could go all the way and propose rejoining the EU, and suggested it is possible Labour's next election manifesto could include an in-out referendum.
## Other EU relationship options polled
Keeping the existing relationship but cutting trade barriers had forty-eight point two percent support. A customs union, as called for by former Tory Chancellor George Osborne, had forty-seven point one percent support.
## Voters split on how to decide
Almost a third of voters said an in-out referendum would be needed before rejoining. More than one in six felt a general election mandate would be sufficient, and the same proportion thought parliament could decide.
## Burnham seeks consensus, not rushed vote
During his first Labour Party conference speech, Burnham said Brexit had done more harm than good and promised to set out options around the time of a UK-EU summit in November. He insisted this isn't about leaping to a referendum.

> this isn't about leaping to a referendum
## Farage attacks Burnham's position
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and key Brexit proponent, called Burnham's decision to reignite the debate a very big political mistake. He said rejoining contradicts Burnham's pro-devolution stance and represents a massive transfer of power upward.

> very big political mistake
## European leaders welcome the prospect
French President Emmanuel Macron said it was very good news for both the UK and Europe, quipping welcome back. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Brexit a huge loss and said Spain would open its arms to the UK.

> Welcome back.
## Key takeaway

Nearly half of UK voters back EU rejoining, prompting PM Andy Burnham to consider including it in Labour's next election manifesto alongside other relationship options.