Prime Minister Burnham to present options for relations with the EU — Channel NewsAsia

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in Liverpool that, ahead of the UK-EU summit planned for later this year, he will present various options for future relations with the bloc. Channel NewsAsia reports.

Statement at the Labour conference

During his first speech as leader at the annual Labour Party conference, Burnham said that Brexit had caused Britain more harm than benefit. In his view, the country’s departure from the EU after the 2016 referendum led to a decade of low economic growth and weakened the United Kingdom’s position.

Burnham also said that the loss of cooperation with European partners had weakened immigration control, contrary to the claims of Brexit supporters. He stressed that Britain needs to define its long-term relationship with the EU, which, he said, remains the country’s largest market.

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Topics of the upcoming summit

The prime minister promised to set out ideas for long-term cooperation with European partners at the summit. According to him, the sides must determine how best to cooperate on immigration and secure benefits for British industries most affected by Brexit.

The summit was initially planned to be held in July in Brussels, but it was postponed after Keir Starmer was removed as Labour Party leader and replaced by Burnham. The sides had hoped to present several agreements at the meeting — on food and animal safety standards, a youth mobility programme, and linking emissions trading systems.