Andy Burnham called for a discussion on returning to free movement with the EU
Andy Burnham called for the UK to consider a return to free movement with Europe, a proposal backed by senior cabinet ministers including Angela Rayner. Labour MP Stella Creasy said the country needed a fuller discussion of its effects on supply chains and jobs. Some red-wall MPs may be concerned; Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband supports reopening the debate.
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Andy Burnham has urged an “honest discussion” about whether the UK should return to free movement with the EU, a proposal backed by senior cabinet ministers but carrying a risk of concern among red wall MPs. Burnham said free movement had brought significant challenges, but argued that migration involving people who came to the UK and then returned was different from current patterns. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner told Sky News that reopening the issue was “just pragmatism”, adding that the focus should be on the best deal for Britain and that nothing should be ruled out in talks with the EU. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was also among those favouring renewed discussion. Labour MP and Labour Movement for Europe chair Stella Creasy said a fuller conversation about free movement’s effects on supply chains and jobs for British citizens was overdue.
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Verifier’s note
AOL directly reports that senior cabinet ministers, including Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband, backed discussion of a possible return to EU free movement. It was published on the same day as the proposed event.