Rejoining EU among options for future ties, says UK PM

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated in an interview that rejoining the EU was among potential options for Britain's future relationship with Europe. This followed his announcement at the Labour Party's annual conference that he would present different scenarios for future ties with the bloc ahead of an upcoming summit. Burnham, who campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, expressed his hope that the country would return to the 27-nation group during his lifetime.

The prime minister suggested that options could include joining the European single market and customs union, or even more extensive integration. He emphasized the need to address the question of Britain's future relationship with Europe, stating it was "not good enough to leave that question just hanging." Burnham highlighted that Brexit had led to a decade of low growth for the UK, leaving the country in a weaker position.

He argued that a clear path to a long-term relationship with the EU, its largest market, was essential for Britain's future prosperity. Plans for the summit with the EU, which was originally scheduled for July in Brussels, have been postponed to November 20, though the date has not been officially confirmed. The summit was intended to discuss various agreements, such as food and animal safety standards, a youth mobility scheme, and the alignment of their emissions-trading systems.