Burnham says he has not proposed return to EU freedom of movement – UK politics live
This story was selected and curated by our editorial team in the Andy Burnham category. Published on November 3, 2026 • Originally reported by Andrew Sparrow. OMEGAZEPRIME provides independent news coverage and analysis for our readers. Stay informed with the latest developments.
The prime minister wants an ‘honest discussion’ about how immigration has changed since Brexit
Q: Angela Rayner says she is stocking up on wine. What are you stockpiling?
Badenoch replied:
Water. Water’s the most important thing.
I don’t blame Angela Rayner for wanting to stock up on sauvignon blanc. I would if I was in that party with all of those people in there. I’d need a drink.
The reason why we left the EU was so we could make our own rules. But if what the government is signing up to is just following EU rules, then what was the point of leaving? They are too scared to actually use the Brexit freedoms that we have.
The free trade agreement that we have with the EU, like many others, is one that needs constant negotiating. So I want to see Labour negotiating and improving on deals with all countries. That’s what you do when you have your own trade policy. That’s what it means. It’s a never-ending process.
[Burnham] doesn’t know how to negotiate. I say this as a former trade secretary. I’m very worried that what he is saying he’s going to do is actually going to make things worse, not better.
We need to start having a closer relationship with all our allies. What we need to stop pretending that the only way to do that is to be inside the EU. It is a false conversation. The debate has been settled. It’s time for us to move on.
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