Andy Burnham’s attempt to impose Cabinet discipline over Brexit tensions suffered a setback from his own Chancellor today.
The Prime Minister wrote to ministers yesterday urging them to avoid adopting firm positions on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union.
The appeal followed a political storm sparked by his suggestion that Britain could seek to rejoin the bloc after the next general election, potentially including a return to the EU’s former free-movement arrangements.
But after delivering his Budget, John Healey appeared to risk weakening the Prime Minister’s demand for “discipline” on the issue.
Asked by GB News whether free movement was “on the agenda”, Mr Healey, whose constituency strongly backed Brexit, replied: “No. Freedom of movement is not on the agenda, and certainly for this Parliament it’s ruled out.”
Despite that unequivocal response, the Chancellor went on to say the issue was inevitably linked to wider efforts to improve the UK’s Brexit arrangements and address what he described as a deal that had failed the country over the past decade.
“The Prime Minister wants that bigger conversation,” he said. “My immediate focus is the European summit next month, and I want to ensure we can negotiate better terms and reduce costs for British businesses.
John Healey said free movement was “not on the agenda” after Andy Burnham urged ministers to avoid committing to specific Brexit outcomes
“That would create jobs, boost trade and, if we can lower costs for consumers, benefit the country.”
Asked whether he would support rejoining the EU on a free-movement basis if doing so strengthened the economy, Mr Healey said: “No. I accept that the country made a Brexit decision.
“My focus now is on making the best possible use of the terms we have.”
He added: “As Chancellor, my responsibility is to strengthen the economy and provide support for people who are ready to establish and rapidly expand businesses here.”
In an interview with LBC, Mr Healey was also asked whether the UK would need to rejoin the EU to achieve stronger economic growth.
“I don’t accept that,” he said. “Brexit has certainly affected our growth rate.”
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“It has undoubtedly affected our trade. But the country held a referendum, and we are outside the European Union.
“The challenge now is to make the most of an economy that has proved remarkably resilient this year and has defied the forecasts.”
In his letter to Cabinet ministers yesterday, Mr Burnham said any “fundamental change” to the post-Brexit settlement should be decided by the public and left for the next Parliament.
The Prime Minister’s weekend call for an “honest discussion” about restoring free movement has raised fresh questions about the limits of his plans for a closer relationship with Brussels.
Uncertainty grew on Monday when he was asked how any change to Labour’s manifesto red lines—opposing a return to the customs union and single market—would be presented to voters.
Speaking to ITV, Mr Burnham said there would be no change during the current Parliament and suggested he could contest the next general election on a platform that included taking the UK back into the bloc.
In a separate interview, he answered “no” when asked whether the UK could restore EU freedom of movement without holding another referendum. Downing Street later clarified that he was “not leaning either way” on the eventual path forward.
In his Cabinet letter, Mr Burnham wrote: “I am convinced that the Brexit deal negotiated by the Conservative government was not good enough for Britain. It has produced a decade of weak growth, imposed additional red tape on businesses and reduced our ability to control immigration.
“It is a harder form of Brexit than voters were promised at the EU referendum.”
Mr Burnham told ministers that an “agreed mandate” had been established for the forthcoming summit and that collective Cabinet responsibility applied to it. He cautioned ministers against publicly campaigning for a particular outcome afterward.
“Following the summit, government policy will be to examine options for the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, for consideration by the next Parliament,” he said.
“At the conclusion of that process, we will explain to the country the advantages and disadvantages of the different options.
“It is essential that the Government remains united and disciplined in its public messaging throughout this period.
“Ministers should not individually campaign for specific options or offer views on the likely outcome of the process.”
