Andy Burnham's push to put free movement back on the table sparks a Labour revolt and Cabinet splits

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to be 'furious' as Andy Burnham's call to put free movement back on the agenda ignites open warfare inside Labour. Burnham said he wants an 'honest discussion' about free movement and that any change would require a referendum, but Downing Street then contradicted him by insisting no referendum was planned and the PM 'isn't proposing a return to free movement'. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, attending talks with European officials ahead of the November 20 EU summit, refused to give his personal view — saying he was only offering 'the Government line'.

Labour MP Melanie Onn warned the 'scars have not healed' since 2016 and that free movement was a 'defining' factor in the original Brexit vote.

Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane, an adviser to Burnham during his tenure as Manchester Mayor, said reopening the debate would be 'a damaging thing from a growth perspective' comparable to the uncertainty of the original referendum.

Nigel Farage has seized on the row, with aides describing the free movement question as precisely the dividing line Reform has been waiting for Burnham to reopen.