- A government minister, Hamish Falconer, did not rule out the Labour Party including a promise to rejoin the European Union in its next manifesto , stating that future policy decisions are a question for the party.
- Falconer clarified that while rejoining is not currently under discussion, the global landscape has significantly evolved since 2016, necessitating an adaptation of the UK's relationship with Europe.
- He reiterated the prime minister 's position that Labour is not 'backsliding' from the 2016 referendum result, despite calls from figures like former Labour leader Neil Kinnock to rejoin the bloc.
- Lord Kinnock previously urged for Britain to rejoin the EU, describing it as 'the only patriotic thing to do', and advised Andy Burnham not to be constrained by Labour's existing 'red lines' on Europe.
- Andy Burnham, who has previously expressed support for rejoining, later clarified that he would not actively pursue it, arguing that the country would be stuck in a 'permanent rut' if it constantly debated the issue.
IN FULL
