UK intends to deepen EU ties, Prime Minister Andy Burnham tells Christodoulides

Nicosia, Cyprus. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday that the United Kingdom intends to “get closer” to the European Union, six and a half years after leaving the bloc.

Telephone call

Burnham’s office said he welcomed the strong historic ties between the United Kingdom and Cyprus during a telephone call with Christodoulides, including the countries’ close cooperation on the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

He thanked Cyprus for its support in advancing relations between the UK and the EU during its six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of the year. Burnham also set out the UK’s intention to continue moving closer to the bloc.

Middle East discussion

Burnham and Christodoulides also discussed the Middle East, with the British prime minister noting the need to work with partners towards de-escalation in the region.

He reaffirmed the UK’s support for efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Both leaders said they looked forward to meeting in person as soon as possible.

UK policy position

It remains unclear how Burnham intends to move the UK closer to the EU. A spokesperson quoted by the Independent last month said the government remained committed to the red lines set out in its manifesto.

Those red lines exclude joining the European single market or entering a customs union.

“We are not rejoining the European Union, and there will be no return to the customs union, the single market, or freedom of movement,” the spokesperson said.

Brexit red lines

The red lines were drawn up by Theresa May, who served as British prime minister from 2016 to 2019 after David Cameron resigned following the referendum on UK membership of the EU.

May’s five successors — Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Burnham — have adhered to the policy. Johnson and Sunak were the only two to publicly support the campaign to leave the EU during the referendum a decade ago.

Before becoming prime minister, Burnham told the Guardian during the Labour Party conference last year that he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU and hoped to see the country return to the bloc in his lifetime.