Andy Burnham will say that failing to pursue a closer relationship with the EU would be a “dereliction of duty” in a major Commons address today, following comments in which he blamed Russia for interfering in the Brexit vote. The Telegraph has the story.
In a major Commons address on Monday, the Prime Minister is expected to tell MPs that it is time for a “different conversation” about Britain’s place in the bloc.
His remarks will come a fortnight after he used his first conference speech as Labour leader to suggest he could lead the UK back into the union.
They will also follow his claim that Russia interfered with the EU referendum in 2016 – a claim that prompted Conservative MPs to accuse him of “laying the groundwork for rejoining”.
Burnham will also use the appearance before the Commons to argue that closer ties with Brussels would help Britain to prevent illegal migration.
He will tell MPs that a better relationship would improve cooperation on stopping small boats crossing the Channel from France, and help increase economic growth.
The Prime Minister will say the public would expect him to take such a deal, and will repeat his claim that Brexit had done more harm than good.
A No. 10 source said: “Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be.
“Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.”
The remarks will further heighten expectations that Burnham is preparing to put a pledge to return to the EU in his party’s next manifesto. …
Burnham will deliver his remarks to Parliament after causing controversy with his claim that Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum.
He told the Rest is Politics podcast: “I asked the question coming to Downing Street, well was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? I’ve had the clear answer that, yes, there was.
“These things are important now to put clearly on the record and I believe help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies, namely, Russia.
“I think we’ve been too much on the back foot on that, actually, and we haven’t informed people sufficiently about the extent to which people are seeking to disrupt the political process from overseas.”
Previous UK governments have acknowledged that Russia tried to interfere in the referendum, but said there was no evidence it had been successful.
Burnham’s comments were taken by some as an attempt to call the result into question by suggesting it had been influenced by Vladimir Putin.
However, on Monday morning, Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said it was still the Government’s view that Moscow’s efforts had failed. …
Nigel Farage accused Mr Burnham of “lying” about his claim that Russia influenced the Brexit referendum.
Asked whether Mr Burnham’s claim “tainted the result” during a press conference on Monday, the Reform UK leader replied: “The Prime Minister is a liar.”
He added: “There was no Russian interference, and the Russia hoax has run all the way through this. And I particularly have to mention, you know, my friend and supporter Aaron Banks, who was severely libelled over this, but in the end, I’m pleased to say, won in the High Court.
“This is Burnham. This is an out of touch, out of date, Andy Burnham, with all sorts of bizarre ideas.”
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: The Telegraph‘s Tom Harris says Burnham is now dabbling in “centrist dad conspiracy theories” over his implication that Brexit was caused by Russia.
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His duty is to carry out the expressed instruction of the British people (expressed in a referendum, one Euro-election, two General Elections) – out of the EU and stay out. His duty includes actually implementing Brexit.
Exploring “closer ties” is just the start of ultimately rejoining the EU.
The EU is a structure to prevent any member Country from perusing its national interests in competition with the others.
A Government in or “closer ties” with the EU, is serving the interests of that institution not the interests of its own people.
A Government which does not serve the interests of its own people and in fact serves extra-national interest at their expense, has no legitimacy to govern.
“Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised.” Because the corrupt, rotten, putrefying HOC wouldn’t let it.
Where is the proof of Russian interference? The hopeless minister Stephen Doughty was sent out on media duty to explain. Unfortunately he stated that he was “not going to comment on the detail”. As if the public should simply trust him and his cronies.
Seems like any excuse to get us back in the EU club. Burnham proving to be every bit as duplicitous as Starmer.
Does Burnham think that President Obama expressly coming to Britain ahead of the Referendum vote and telling the electorate that the UK would be at the back of the queue if they voted to leave the EU was interference by a foreign power?
Russian interference? After all that wall-to-wall campaigning to stay in the EU from all the political parties, all the newspapers, all the trades unions, and all the celebrities, Putin still cuts through? Is he a magician? What’s next? Stealing the Moon?
The only people intent on interfering with the Referendum were the British politicians who wanted to overturn the result at the time.
But if there’s to be another referendum, how is foreign interference to be kept out? Hermetically seal off the UK from the rest of the world?
It’s because he said Mothers are women and fathers are men.
Well, time for that old saw once again :
Q : ”How do you know when Andy Capp is lying ?”
Answer : “His lips are moving.”
An idiot who has no clue – like his cult – about the EU, this country or basic economics and politics.
Undemocratically erasing the Referendum.
The idiots will say rejoining the German empire ‘saves our democracy’. The ‘economic’ issues are from taxes, regulation, Net Zero, the Rona Plandemic (just a planned cockup), massive increases in energy, open borders, unilimited immigration/invasion, EUHR act and sundry other non Brexit issues.
The Rona plandemic contracted the economy by 10%, GDP now at £3 Trillion should be higher – the delta is about £3000 net income loss per family.
Russian hoax – honestly – what moron believes anything to do with Russia and the blame game (it rained today, blame Putin).
You don’t live in a democracy. You live in a globalist-EUist system. They have spent 10 years trying to destroy Brexit. Now they will simply say F* you we are back in the German empire.
Next step; lose the pound for the Euro (to save the children and our thriving democracy from Russia).
Who is actually surprised by any of this?
That Burnham can make this assertion about Russian interference without providing evidence, and while maintaining a straight face, demonstrates that he unconcerned about the scorn that such a claim provokes among the public. Not only unconcerned, but contemptuous.
Let me see if I understand, it is OK for the UK, EU, USA to interfere in the politics and elections in other Countries – such as Ukraine in 2014 – but not for Russia (allegedly) to interfere in theirs.
Got it. Pass the humbugs mother.