Burnham is right to reopen the EU debate because Brexit is costly, but he must proceed cautiously through low-key, cross-party negotiations
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/simonjenkins. "Opening the EU debate again is clearly a political minefield. But we have to do it | Simon Jenkins | The Guardian." October 30, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
Jenkins argues that Brexit is still hurting Britain's economy and most people now think it was a mistake, so Andy Burnham is right to start talking about the relationship with the EU again. But because people disagree about what should replace Brexit, he should keep the talks technical and low-key and bring in all parties, rather than make it a fight over sovereignty.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is right to reopen the debate on Britain's relationship with the EU, despite the political risk, but he should proceed cautiously: detoxify Brexit, keep the talks technical and 'boring', and set up a cross-party committee to oversee them.
Premises
- Brexit continues to damage Britain's economy, with the accumulated cost of cutting ties with its biggest trading partner estimated at 6-8% of GDP, making it perhaps the greatest act of self-harm by a British government in modern times.
- Brexit's damage is concrete and visible in the car industry, agriculture, fish exports and border queues.
- Public opinion has turned against Brexit: nearly 60% regard it as a mistake and 55% would support rejoining, which indicates a democratic appetite for an honest discussion.
- However, there is no consensus on the alternative: support for rejoining falls to 35% if it requires giving up opt-outs (the euro and Schengen), and some EU states may resist a bespoke arrangement.
- Because Labour is committed to honouring the referendum in this parliament, rejoining is not on the table, so the current negotiations are about regulations and trade barriers rather than sovereignty.
- After 2016, partisan conflict prevented a cross-party search for a compromise, and that mistake should not be repeated; Brexit and Reform's political dependence on it must be defused.
Assumptions
- Estimates of a 6-8% GDP cost are reliable and attributable mainly to Brexit.
- Public regret over Brexit translates into support for closer EU ties, not just dissatisfaction.
- Technical negotiations can be insulated from the politics of sovereignty and identity.
- The EU will be willing to negotiate mutually beneficial deals with the UK.
- A cross-party committee can reduce polarisation rather than become another arena for conflict.
- Short-term political risk to Burnham is outweighed by the long-term economic benefit of reopening the issue.