Andy Burnham faces Brexit revolt as Red Wall Labour MPs plead with PM to accept 2016 vote
Andy Burnham has been warned he faces a Red Wall revolt after the Prime Minister suggested the UK could rejoin the European Union.
Mr Burnham, who promised voters in his Leave-voting seat of Makerfield he would not reopen the Brexit debate, used his first conference speech as Labour leader to confirm he would consider applying for Britain to join the Brussels bloc.
However, Red Wall Labour MPs have now urged the Prime Minister against a “Brexit Hokey Cokey” and said ministers need to accept the result of the 2016 referendum.
Labour seats in the North and the Midlands voted heavily in favour of Brexit in 2016, including Ed Miliband's Doncaster North constituency.
Boris Johnson stormed the Red Wall in 2019 after promising voters to "get Brexit done".
But Nigel Farage's Reform UK is now expected to make inroads.
Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told The Telegraph: “We cannot keep holding referendums every few years, playing a sort of Brexit Hokey Cokey.
"The British people made their decision. That question is settled, and it’s time to move forward.
"We should focus on building a stronger future as partners with the EU and countries across the globe, working together in our mutual interests.
"And let’s be honest: we need a better deal than the botched Boris Johnson agreement.
"Rather than reopening old arguments, we should concentrate on securing a better relationship that delivers growth, jobs and opportunities for Britain.”
North Northumberland MP David Smith added: “As someone who voted Remain and campaigned for it in the North East, I believe we have to accept that the democratic decision of the country in the Brexit referendum was a generational one.”
The comments came after Great Grimsby MP Melanie Onn dismissed calls for a second referendum, with frontbenchers Jonathan Reynolds and Lisa Nandy also urging the Prime Minister against reigniting the debate.
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Reform warn over 'mass migration and soft-touch law' in response to devastating France riots
Reform MP Robert Jenrick has responded to France's devastating riots by warning Britons over "mass migration and soft-touch law".
Mr Jenrick took to social media on Monday morning, following Emmanuel Macron's public address yesterday in which he lamented "shame" over the spiralling violent disorder across the country.
The MP for Newark wrote: "Mass migration and soft-touch law and order destroys countries.
"Macron has chosen to ignore this obvious fact.
"We can either do the same and face a similar fate, or fight to save Britain."
His comments echo the rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who yesterday blamed migrants with "hatred in their hearts" for the violent unrest sweeping the nation.
In yesterday's address to the nation, Mr Macron said "we all feel both anger and shame" at the scenes of disorder, adding: "To see the cities, the streets of our cities, ransacked like this is unbearable."
Anxiety benefits bill balloons as taxpayers shell out for huge surge in Gen Z claimants
Generation Z are responsible for a dramatic surge in anxiety claims, according to new data.
Nearly a third of individuals who began receiving Personal Independence Payment (Pip) for anxiety disorders over the past two years were aged between 16 and 24 (7,403), Department for Work and Pension (DWP) figures show.
Further still, when those up to the age of 34 are included, the proportion climbs above half of all recent claimants.
Some 22 per cent were aged 25 to 34, while the same proportion fell in the 35 to 44 bracket. Just 14 per cent were between 45 and 54, 11 per cent aged 55 to 64 and a mere two per cent over 65.
Tories welcome Labour's public transport fines
The Conservatives have welcomed Labour's latest crackdown on antisocial behaviour, which will see passengers who play music out loud on public transport facing £100 fines.
The Tories had previously called for fines to be introduced in August 2025.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: "Finally, Labour are finally catching up with the Conservatives on issues passengers really care about.
"After we led the charge against antisocial behaviour on public transport last summer, ministers have worked out that nobody wants to endure pounding techno or blaring hip hop on a packed train or bus."
However he added passengers and transport crews face "far more serious problems".
"Perhaps if ministers spent less time obsessing over their bizarre ideological obsession with state-control of the railways, they might have space to focus on making our trains safer, more reliable and a better experience for passengers," he declared.
Passengers who blast music without headphones on buses and trains could be hit with £100 fines
Passengers who play music out loud on public transport could face £100 fines in Labour's newest crackdown on antisocial behaviour.
Local authorities are being encouraged to use new powers to fine people for nuisance behaviour on buses, including littering, vaping, and listening to music without headphones.
A new campaign will be launched later today to remind people to use headphones on public transport, telling passengers to "share the journey, not the noise” or face fines of up to £1,000.
Andy Burnham has said it is part of wider plans to "make journeys that little bit better for all of us."
Tories: Covid led to ballooning benefits bill in previous Government
The Tories have told GB News that the effects of Covid led to a dramatic surge in the welfare bill.
Deputy Leader of the Conservatives Alex Burghart joined Alex Armstrong and Ellie Costello this morning, in which he declared it is "wrong to talk about the Conservative Party's record on benefits" without mentioning the pandemic.
"It was a very difficult period... and of course it had consequences for the number of people out of work."
Under the Conservatives' previous Government, benefit claimants rose to almost 7 million by July 2024 - a rise of more than 4.6 million people.
Mr Burghart pointed to the upcoming government-commissioned review led by Alan Millburn, in which he is expected to propose major overhauls, describing the Pip system as "no longer fit for purpose," in the interim report.
"The Prime Minister delayed publication until after the Budget, so they don't have to talk about the costs," he said.
And when pressed on why welfare costs continued to rise under the Tories even after Covid restrictions were lifted, Mr Burghart pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
"It is very, very important that we set these figures in their context," he said.
He declared those leaving education should not be able to claim benefits immediately, insisting "the right thing to do" is to encourage youngsters into training, or applying for jobs.
"If people are going to make an effort, they should get support. If they're not, then they shouldn't."
Andy Burnham: Youth unemployment is economic catastrophe and a moral failure
Andy Bunrham has blasted the current scale of youth unemployment as an "economic catastrophe and a moral failure".
Writing in The Times, the PM said the Government has a "duty to do everything in its power" to cut the ballooning unemployment figures in those leaving education.
"We face a choice. We either invest in the success of our young people or pay for failure through the benefits system," he said.
"We cannot afford to do both. I choose the first."
Almost one million young people are currently classed as NEET (not in employment, education, or training), according to the Office for National Statistics.
Those aged 16-24 now make up almost a third of those who began receiving Personal Independence Payment (Pip) for anxiety disorders over the past two years.
"This is an economic catastrophe and a moral failure. And it must change," Mr Burnham declared.
A government-commissioned review led by Alan Millburn, the former cabinet minister, is expected to be published this autumn.
He is expected to propose major overhauls, describing the Pip system as "no longer fit for purpose," in the interim report.
Wes Streeting speaks out on devastating Canada blaze
Wes Streeting has taken to social media to send his "deepest condolences" to Canada, after a devastating blaze ripped through a major military base, leaving four soldiers dead and several others injured.
The Defence Secretary wrote: "My deepest condolences to all those mourning the Canadian Armed Forces personnel who tragically lost their lives at the base in Wainwright – and with those who have suffered injuries during this terrible incident.
"To our Canadian friends - we stand with you and grieve with you."
He joins Shadow Defence Secretary David Reed, who said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the four members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have tragically lost their lives, and with their families, friends and fellow service personnel at this incredibly difficult time."
Some 19 people have been left in a critical condition after a smouldering grass fire quickly grew in the base's training area where personnel were carrying out exercises.
Officials identified the dead as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the "nation is in mourning".
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