Burnham's push for closer EU ties causes ripples in his party and others

Burnham's push for closer EU ties causes ripples in his party and others

Ahead of a week which will focus minds on the UK's relationship with the bloc, the prime minister's stance on Europe is causing MPs to think about their leaders' individual strategy.

There is renewed attention on the prime minister's push for closer relations with Europe - and that is causing ripples in his own party and others.

Andy Burnham told his Cabinet earlier this week: "I firmly believe we have ended up with a harder Brexit than people voted for… no sensible person thinks the deal negotiated by the Tories is working for the country."

It comes ahead of a week which will focus minds on the UK's relationship with the bloc. On Thursday, at a gathering of European leaders in Dublin, Burnham will for the first time meet those who could prove pivotal as he sells his vision for Britain's future in the bloc.

And next week, he will deliver a speech on foreign policy, in which – for Burnham – Europe is a central plank. He will then travel to Brussels for a UK-EU summit to sign new agreements on food, energy and youth mobility.

Talking about the new deal to be signed at the summit, Burnham said to ministers: "We will take opportunities that make people in this country better off.

Brexit referendum 'possible' in Labour election manifesto, says Burnham

UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exports

In brief

There is renewed attention on the prime minister's push for closer relations with Europe - and that is causing ripples in his own party and others. And next week, he will deliver a speech on foreign policy, in which – for Burnham – Europe is a central plank. Brexit referendum 'possible' in Labour election manifesto, says Burnham UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exports

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC News — Top Stories. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

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