Andy Burnham said he believes a "win-win" deal can be agreed with the European Union, adding it could be "more like the Brexit that people thought they were voting for" in 2016.
The prime minister is exploring closer ties with the bloc and is expected to sign new agreements on food, energy and youth mobility at a UK-EU summit on 20 November.
Speaking after meeting European leaders in Ireland on Thursday, Burnham said he hopes a deal could help lower prices and boost the UK economy. He predicted the negotiations could "go down to the wire".
The Conservatives have previously said Labour are "dragging us into the European Union via the back door with their EU reset".
While Burnham has argued that Brexit has done "more harm than good", he has ruled out major changes to the UK's relationship with the EU before the next general election.
Labour's 2024 general election manifesto pledged there would be "no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement", and Burnham has committed to this.
The manifesto also said the party wanted to "make Brexit work" and reset the UK's relationship with the EU.
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal in May 2025 covering fishing, trade and other areas and next week's summit will see the UK…
