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Tories vow to reverse Burnham's Brexit U-turn as Badenoch says PM does not know how to negotiate with EU

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026.

Tories vow to reverse Burnham's Brexit U-turn as Badenoch says PM does not know how to negotiate with EU

Kemi Badenoch has accused Andy Burnham of having no idea how to negotiate with Brussels, as Conservatives pledged to reverse any steps Labour takes towards rejoining the EU. Deputy Tory leader Alex Burghart branded the government's reset with Europe as "giving everything away", pointing to the Lancaster House summit. Shadow communities secretary Katie Lam went further, opening the door to a joint Tory-Reform campaign against EU re-entry if Burnham presses ahead.

Nicola Sturgeon seized on Burnham's Brexit shift, saying he 'can't pick and choose when democracy applies' — and demanding a fresh Scottish independence vote.

Lam warned Burnham would seek to take Britain back into the EU 'unilaterally', calling the prospect 'completely mad, let alone appallingly undemocratic.'

Burnham is due to hold a summit with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen later this year, raising fears Brussels will demand concessions on free movement.

MoreDaily MailBurnham's 'reform' is abolition of proper British elections: HITCHENSThe TelegraphVoters split over whether Burnham is any different to StarmerFinancial TimesBurnham could learn a thing or two from ThatcherDaily MailTories 'will reverse any moves by Andy Burnham to unwind Brexit'The TelegraphBurnham has declared war on Britain’s democracy. This is how we fight backiNewsTories could join forces with Reform in bid to stop Burnham’s Brexit U-turnThe ScotsmanAndy Burnham 'can't pick and choose when democracy applies', says Nicola SturgeonReutersBreakingviews - COMMENTARY: A roadmap for Andy Burnham to reverse Brexit
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