Burnham paves the way for rejoining EU to be in next Labour manifesto - as he blames 'outside forces' for 'manipulating' Brexit vote

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 04:00 EDT, 22 September 2026 | Updated: 04:01 EDT, 22 September 2026 Andy Burnham has opened the door to fighting the next election on a pledge to rejoin the European Union – as he claimed Brexit was driven by 'outside forces'.Speaking ahead of talks on Tuesday with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, the PM said his 'immediate priority' was to revive a planned 'reset' which has stalled because of the EU's protectionist plans.But he refused to rule out putting a bid to rejoin the EU at the heart of Labour's next manifesto, saying only that it was a question for 'another day'.He suggested he considers the 2016 referendum result to be illegitimate, saying it was driven by 'outside forces' trying to 'manipulate opinion'.The Prime Minister is a fierce critic of Brexit and has expressed hope that the UK will rejoin the EU within his lifetime. He is expected to use a speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to launch a fresh attack on the decision to leave the EU, blaming it for ushering in a decade of decline.Mr Burnham has pledged to stick to Labour's so-called Brexit 'red lines', which include not rejoining the single market or reviving free movement.But some Labour MPs are urging him to fight the next election on a promise to rejoin.Asked if he was considering the idea, the PM told reporters travelling with him to New York: 'Our focus at the moment is on a UK-EU summit which we hope will take place later this year. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel board a plane for the United States'And as I said my immediate priority is to build on the good work that Keir did in rebuilding bridges. Because those bridges were broken in the early part of this decade. And Keir did a good job in re-establishing that relationship.'And what we have got to do is now go to the to the next level in terms of reaching practical agreement that will further boost the British economy. And those issues are the substance of the summit alongside EU requests around youth mobility.'Pressed on the possibility of rejoining, he added: 'The other issues… they are for another day.'Mr Burnham brushed aside the idea that the UK could become an associate member, saying the EU had 'made it clear that that wasn't open to us'.But he suggested that Brexit had been driven in part by 'outside actors' who had 'manipulated facts'.He added: 'I'm reflecting on that last decade. What we've experienced is when that turbulence comes when outside actors seek to manipulate, to distort facts, influence the British democratic process.'Going into the next decade we need to be clear-eyed about that and become stronger and more on the front foot about challenging that.'Perhaps Britain can say we have experienced some of the turbulence before others in terms of the politics of recent times. We need to be clearer where outside forces, our enemies, are trying to manipulate that opinion and feeling to serve their interests, not ours.' Speaking ahead of talks on Tuesday with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, the PM said his 'immediate priority' was to revive a planned 'reset' which has stalled because of the EU's protectionist plansThe PM will hold talks with Ms von der Leyen on Tuesday amid a growing row over the EU's controversial 'Made in Europe' scheme.Brussels is pushing the protectionist measure to prevent European firms being swamped by cheap Chinese competition. But ministers fear British industry, including state-owned British Steel, could be hit hard in the cross-fire.The PM is pushing for an exemption from the scheme ahead of a planned UK-EU summit this autumn.Mr Burnham said he had 'considerable support' from other EU leaders, but has yet to persuade Brussels to back down.'Europe's argument is not with us,' he said. 'We both suffer the same effects as other countries particularly steel and the issue it raises for the steel industry in Europe and in Britain'We are making the argument we are not your enemies here...we are not the problem. Made in Europe is dealing with a different problem'We are making the argument that let's avoid collateral damage.'Lets work towards a trusted partner approach that doesn't cause a problem where there wasn't a problem and where we have common cause.'- READ MORE: Andy Burnham insists Special Relationship with US is 'as strong as it's ever been' ahead of the crunch talks with Trump- READ MORE: British jets will help defend Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure from missile attacks, Andy Burnham reveals