Burnham has inherited Labour’s EU delusion
Burnham must accept what Starmer wouldn't: our EU neighbours are just not that into us, writes Eliot Wilson.
Eliot Wilson's article "Burnham has inherited Labour’s EU delusion" highlights the challenges faced by Andy Burnham as he attempts to change the Labour party's approach to the European Union. Despite his promises of a new politics and a break from the past, Burnham finds himself in a similar position to his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, in his handling of EU relations.
The article emphasizes that the Labour party's manifesto made it clear that there would be no return to the European single market, the EU Customs Union, or freedom of movement. Burnham's recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron was touted as a sign of renewed collaboration, but Wilson argues that this portrayal of progress is misleading.
Burnham's current priorities in the "reset" negotiations focus on protecting British steel and agriculture, with concerns over the EU's protectionist measures. The article also points out that other European countries, such as Italy, France and Germany, are hesitant to cooperate with Britain due to their own nationalist and Eurosceptic tendencies.
The piece concludes by asserting that, despite appearances, the EU remains uninterested in re-engaging with the UK, and Burnham's efforts to rejoin the union are likely to face significant obstacles.
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