Andy Burnham has carried out a significant U turn on European Union policy within days of setting out his position.
At the weekend, Burnham stated that under his Labour Party the United Kingdom should move towards rejoining the European Union. Today, he has reversed that position, saying he does not want the UK to rejoin and that he respects the result of the 2016 referendum.
This is not a minor adjustment. It is a complete change of direction on one of the defining political issues of the last decade.
The speed of the reversal will raise serious questions about judgement and consistency. Burnham has not even returned to Parliament, yet he has already shifted his position on a matter that goes to the core of national policy.
Rejoining the European Union is not a casual talking point. It affects sovereignty, trade, regulation, and the entire economic framework of the country. To take one position publicly and then reverse it within days is, at best, careless and, at worst, deeply irresponsible.
It also exposes a wider contradiction. Elements of the Labour left, including those aligned with Burnham’s thinking, have long supported policies such as nationalisation that would face significant barriers within European Union rules. That tension has not been resolved, yet it is now colliding with public statements that move in opposite directions within the same week.
Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has worked to present itself as disciplined and pragmatic, focused on governing in a complex and unstable world. What has emerged from Burnham in contrast is confusion at the very moment clarity is required.
If this is how policy is handled before holding national office, serious questions must be asked about what would happen under the pressure of government.
Because if a position on something this important can change in a matter of days, how can the public have confidence that any position will hold when it truly matters?
🚨 @Lord_Sugar in Sun Times
“Leaving Europe is the worst thing I have experienced in my whole time in business.”
“Johnson and Gove should be in jail. As a chairman I am obliged to tell the truth to my shareholders.”
“If I lie it’s a criminal offence. Politicians lie to the public — their shareholders — and get away with it.”
“All that bullshit about the 350 million quid going to the NHS after Brexit.”
#rejoinEU
@brownliberite This is the problem the alternatives are terrible but as an intelligent individual Starmer really needs to get a grip and understand what ppl need and what will fuel the economy. He needs to rejoin EU not faff around the edges
@Sam_Dumitriu Add in the other govt own goal meaning property has to be EPC C by 2030 otherwise can’t let with max spend to achieve EPC C increased to £10 k
@MickMcAteer@Sam_Dumitriu@jburnmurdoch All due respect are you going to study how many ppl will become genuinely homeless as a result of private landlords giving up and selling ? There are simply not enough social houses to go round
@broseph_stalin Do you not realise that more tenants are being evicted than ever before? Private landlords are selling up in droves. Why because of this new legislation and this desire to punish private landlords. Without them there simply isn’t enough housing. Social llands also struggling
#TheApprentice why is Karen always called Baroness Brady when Tim is always called Tim. Shouldn’t he then be Mr. Campbell MBE at the least? Or why not just call them Karen and Tim, less standing on ceremony please.