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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a review of various options for the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc.
Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Burnham said Britain should examine different models for its long-term relationship with Europe and assess which option would work best for the country.
“We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” Burnham said. He also cited the possibility of joining a customs union with the EU, as proposed by former Conservative finance minister George Osborne, or returning to the bloc’s single market, an option backed by the Liberal Democrats.
“Or we could go all the way,” Burnham said, referring to the possibility of rejoining the EU.
Burnham said each option should be assessed in terms of how feasible it would be, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
Britain voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, ending more than four decades of membership and triggering years of political upheaval. Successive governments have since faced economic and diplomatic challenges linked to Brexit.
Burnham said he plans to outline the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU around a UK-EU summit expected to take place in November.
He has previously said he would like to see Britain rejoin the EU in his lifetime. He has also argued that the country cannot afford another decade of uncertainty over Brexit.
“I am very clear, and I will say this bluntly: Brexit has caused more harm than good,” Burnham told the BBC. “So the question is, what do we do about that?”
Burnham has said he will honour the current Labour government’s commitments to remain outside the EU during this parliamentary term. Any formal move towards rejoining the bloc would therefore require a future political mandate.
