Burnham Rules Out Rejoining EU, Calls for Post-Brexit Unity in UK
Burnham’s Stance on Brexit and the EU
Respecting the Referendum Decision
LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said on Monday he was not proposing that Britain consider rejoining the European Union and that he respected the decision of a referendum nearly ten years ago to leave the trading bloc.
Burnham, who has positioned himself as a leadership rival to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: "I'm not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU. I respect the decision that was made with the referendum."
Views on Brexit’s Impact
Brexit’s Damaging Effects
"My view is that Brexit has been damaging, but I also believe the last thing we should do right now is re-run those arguments," he said at an investment summit in the northern English city of Leeds.
Call for National Unity
"Britain will be stuck in a permanent rut if we're just constantly arguing and people are pulling away from each other."
Leadership Context and Rival Positions
Wes Streeting’s Position
One of Burnham's potential rivals in any leadership contest, former health minister Wes Streeting, has forced Brexit up the agenda, saying on Saturday that Britain's future lay with Europe and "one day" back in the European Union.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by William James; writing by Muvija M)
