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'I don't expect to see that': Chancellor John Healey splits with Burnham over the PM's hope of rejoining the EU

Andy Burnham with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, at a Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street, as Chancellor John Healey deepened a cabinet split by saying he does not expect Britain to rejoin the EU in his lifetime.
Andy Burnham with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, at a Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street, as Chancellor John Healey deepened a cabinet split by saying he does not expect Britain to rejoin the EU in his lifetime.
Melanie Onn, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, warned that any free-movement commitment would "presumably have to go into a Labour manifesto" — a direct challenge to Burnham's authority from an elected…
Melanie Onn, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, warned that any free-movement commitment would "presumably have to go into a Labour manifesto" — a direct challenge to Burnham's authority from an elected…

Chancellor John Healey publicly broke with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on rejoining the EU, telling Channel 4 News "I'm older than Andy Burnham — I don't expect to see that," after Burnham said he wants Britain back inside the bloc within his lifetime. Healey, 10 years Burnham's senior, insisted his job is to "make the most of Britain's position now" ahead of a November 20 EU summit in Brussels. The split is the latest sign of tension between No 10 and the Treasury over the pace and ambition of Brexit reversal.

Burnham has gone further, suggesting Labour's next election manifesto could include an in-out referendum, and claiming Russian interference tainted the 2016 Brexit vote.

Residents in Burnham's own Ashton-in-Makerfield constituency — which voted 65% Leave — warned him he faces a 'revolt' if he pushes what locals called a 'sneaky' Brexit U-turn.

A recent poll put support for rejoining at 59%, but Burnham's working-class heartlands remain deeply hostile, with analysis warning freedom of movement would trigger a British brain drain.

MoreThe IndependentJohn Healey is putting the brakes on Andy Burnham’s European ambitionsThe TelegraphFreedom of movement 2.0 would unleash a Great British brain drainThe IndependentBurnham and Healey clash yet again on BrexitGB NewsAndy Burnham's U-turn on EU free movement may prove irreparable with working-class votersDaily ExpressAndy Burnham's Makerfield warns him over 'Brexit U-turn' - 'he could have a revolt'Irish TimesIs Andy Burnham laying a Brexit trap or falling into one?BBC News - WalesFirst minister urges Burnham to be serious about Wales
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