Leeds, United Kingdom. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he is not proposing that Britain consider rejoining the European Union and that he respects the referendum decision to leave. He said Brexit has been damaging but argued the country should not re-run those arguments.
Burnham’s comments at investment summit
Burnham, who has positioned himself as a leadership rival to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, made the remarks on Monday at an investment summit in Leeds. “I’m not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU. I respect the decision that was made with the referendum,” he said.
He said Britain “will be stuck in a permanent rut” if the country continues arguing over Brexit and people pull away from each other.
Brexit raised by other potential leadership rivals
Former health minister Wes Streeting, described as one of Burnham’s potential rivals in any leadership contest, has pushed Brexit up the agenda. Streeting said on Saturday that Britain’s future lay with Europe and “one day” back in the European Union.
Impact of Brexit on Cyprus
Brexit has disrupted Cyprus by introducing strict border controls and trade tariffs, causing bureaucratic hurdles for its large British tourist and expatriate populations. British nationals lost EU freedom of movement, meaning new retirees face visa, income and healthcare requirements to live on the island.
The article said that if the UK rejoined the EU, Cyprus would benefit from economic revitalisation driven by renewed trade opportunities and restored freedom of movement.
Do you think the UK should avoid revisiting the Brexit debate in the near term?
