UK’s Burnham says rejecting closer EU ties a ‘dereliction of duty’
The British prime minister will make the case for a closer relationship with the EU in a House of Commons statement Monday.
Andy Burnham will declare on Monday that it would be a "dereliction of duty" for Britain to forgo closer ties with the EU. In a House of Commons statement reigniting Britain's contentious Brexit discourse, the prime minister insists the majority of the public would endorse a closer relationship with the EU if it aids in controlling immigration and stimulating economic expansion, according to a UK official privy to the statement.
Burnham acknowledges the skepticism of some politicians regarding confronting the harsh reality that Brexit has failed to meet their initial promises, but urges a new conversation on what Britain's long-term relationship should entail. The official, who requested anonymity due to not being granted permission to speak on the record, states that retaining the current situation and failing to diligently strive for a beneficial deal that promotes growth would constitute a significant dereliction of duty.
At Labour's annual convention earlier this month, Burnham contended that Britain's exit from the bloc has inflicted "more harm than good" and pledged to utilize the impending UK-EU summit, scheduled to occur next month, to present "what I believe the alternative options are for Britain's long-term relationship with our European partners".
He also hinted at the possibility of a future Labour manifesto potentially pledging to hold an "in-out" referendum on rejoining the EU. The UK prime minister will speak to MPs following his assertion to the Rest is Politics podcast that "it is clear" Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty, in separate media interviews on Monday, suggested the UK government does not believe the interference was successful, stating that Russia has "attempted to interfere in a number of our democratic processes over a sustained period", but adding that they "haven't succeeded in their many, many attempts to undermine our processes".
When asked if the Brexit referendum outcome is secure, Doughty remarked that "the result is the result".
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