UK Prime Minister Calls for Honest Debate on EU Freedom of Movement
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the country should have a "honest discussion" about potentially restoring free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, noting...
- Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, Burnham said that the character of immigration has shifted since the United Kingdom left the European Union, with a growing...
- Burnham emphasized that he has not yet finalized his personal stance on reviving the policy.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the country should have a “honest discussion” about potentially restoring free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, noting that pre-Brexit immigration was perhaps less complex than current arrangements, news.novyny.live reported.
The Prime Minister Statement on European Union Migration
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, Burnham said that the character of immigration has shifted since the United Kingdom left the European Union, with a growing number of foreign nationals relocating to the country on a permanent basis. While acknowledging that freedom of movement previously brought significant challenges during his past tenure in parliament, he suggested that past migration rules allowed some European Union citizens to work in the United Kingdom for a few years before returning home.
Burnham emphasized that he has not yet finalized his personal stance on reviving the policy. The prime minister stated that an absence of a free movement agreement will not constitute a red line in future negotiations with the bloc.
Political Reactions and Labour Party Stance
Since taking office in June, Burnham has repeatedly voiced support for forging closer diplomatic and economic ties with Brussels. Last month, he suggested that the United Kingdom should evaluate various long-term relationships with the European Union, including potential paths like rejoining the bloc, the single market, or the customs union.
Those proposals run counter to the current Labour Party manifesto, which explicitly rules out seeking to rejoin the European Union. Furthermore, representatives from the Conservative Party have warned that increasing the influx of workers from the European Union could heighten competition in the domestic job market and negatively impact British workers.
Background on Post-Brexit Policy Changes
Freedom of movement stands as a foundational pillar of the European Union, granting citizens from member states the right to travel, live, work, and study across member nations without needing formal work permits. That mechanism served as a central battleground during the 2016 referendum that led to the United Kingdom’s departure.
Following Brexit, the British government instituted a points-based visa system for incoming migrants. Net migration figures initially surged before beginning to decline in recent months.
Burnham said that “freedom of movement was fraught with very serious problems,” and noted that he had spoken about them during his previous time in parliament. He added that it was a type of immigration that “perhaps wasn’t as complex [as it is now]” and stated that he believes there is a need to “honestly discuss these issues.”