UK could consider returning to the EU, Andy Burnham says

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the option of returning to the European Union could be considered as part of efforts to rebuild the country’s long-term relationship with the bloc.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that he made the remarks in an interview with the BBC.

He stressed the importance of exploring ways to improve relations with Europe.

Asked whether he wanted the UK to rejoin the European Union, the prime minister said his main aim was to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the current situation.

“We can keep everything as it is. If people support maintaining the current situation, that is certainly one of the options,” Burnham said.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference the previous day, he also said he would explore opportunities to strengthen ties with the European Union and added that the issue would be discussed at a summit planned for the end of the year.

The United Kingdom left the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020, following the 2016 Brexit referendum. Its departure was followed by a transition period that ended on Dec. 31, 2020, when the UK also left the EU single market and customs union.