Burnham: not pursuing better EU deal would be ‘dereliction of duty’

At Labour’s conference last month, Andy Burnham promised to examine the UK’s longterm relationship with the EU, and opened the door to rejoining the bloc. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Reuters

Andy Burnham will put Brexit back on the Commons agenda as MPs return from recess, warning that failing to pursue a better deal with the EU would be a “major dereliction of duty”.

The prime minister will use a statement to the Commons on the first day back after the party conference break to urge MPs to face up to the damage caused by Brexit, and embrace closer ties with the EU to increase economic growth and tackle illegal immigration.