Burnham’s European ambitions face hurdles as he seeks closer ties

However, his ambitions face considerable challenges, including internal divisions within his own Cabinet and questions surrounding the extent of his intentions. Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara and ex-No 10 special adviser Cleo Watson have highlighted these difficulties in a recent discussion.

One key obstacle is Labour’s existing manifesto commitments. While Burnham has pledged to honor the 2024 election promises that maintain Britain’s position outside the EU, single market, and customs union, he has also expressed a desire to see Britain rejoin the EU during his lifetime. This apparent contradiction has raised concerns about public trust, with MacNamara noting, “They were really, really clear: we are not going to try and rejoin the EU.”

Furthermore, Burnham’s Cabinet isn’t unified on the issue. Chancellor John Healey recently appeared to downplay the prospect of rejoining the EU, a remark that was later dismissed by the Treasury but reportedly angered Burnham. This public disagreement complicates Burnham’s efforts to reshape Britain’s economic relationship with Europe.

Cleo Watson cautions that Burnham’s parliamentary majority doesn’t guarantee support, citing past instances of Labour MPs defying leadership. Divisions within Burnham’s own Cabinet, with 15 ministers reportedly favoring rejoining the EU versus 13 who are undecided or opposed, further complicate matters. Concerns have also been raised by Labour MPs representing Leave-voting constituencies, who fear alienating voters.

Helen MacNamara also questions whether the government possesses a coherent negotiating strategy, warning that Britain risks entering negotiations without a clear position while the EU is well-prepared.

Despite the risks, Cleo Watson suggests a renewed focus on Europe could unite the left-wing parties and potentially divide the right. However, Helen MacNamara warns against repeating past mistakes that fueled the Leave vote, emphasizing that such calculations may not align with the views of ordinary citizens.