MPs to debate rejoining EU in just days after Andy Burnham's Brexit U-turn reopens row

MPs have been told they will debate whether the UK should rejoin the European Union on Monday.

The debate, which will take place in Westminster Hall at 4.30pm, comes just weeks after Andy Burnham admitted Labour could opt to take Britain back into the continental club.

Labour MP Tony Vaughan, who represents the Brexit-backing constituency of Folkestone & Hythe, will open the debate.

Europe Minister Hamish Falconer is expected to respond on behalf of Mr Burnham's Government.

MPs will debate the proposal after almost 112,000 people signed a petition calling on Labour to rejoin the EU.

“We believe Brexit's not working," the author of the petition wrote.

"The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse.

"Ten years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin the EU, reverse the damage, boost growth, increase tax revenues and restore opportunities in the UK."

Despite Mr Burnham opening the door to a re-run of the referendum, just 147 voters in the Prime Minister's home seat of Makerfield.

Makerfield, which voted to leave the EU in 2016, did not rank in the top 10 constituencies.

Brighton Pavilion, Hove & Portslade, Brighton Kempton & Peacehaven, Hastings & Rye and Cambridge all ranked at the top of the list.

After the petition received 10,000 signatures in January, the Government said: "The UK will not be rejoining the EU, but this Government has reset its relationship with the EU with a new strategic partnership: A deal that is good for UK bills, borders, jobs and growth."

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However, Mr Burnham is taking a different approach to UK-EU relations after replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

Speaking to GB News after his first conference speech as Labour leader, Mr Burnham said: “We look at all options. The speech was about deciding the long-term direction for this country. Where do we want to be in 10 years' time?

“And I don't think we now can leave that question unanswered. An option is to stay as we are. Of course, that's an option.

“But public opinion has shifted in that decade, including in Makerfield, and it's right that I say, well, here are the options.

“George Osborne's put an option forward. Canada have talked about a different relationship with the European Union.

“I can't leave Britain out of those discussions. We do have to have an honest and grown-up conversation about well, what could a future relationship look like?

“And then come back to the public and say, well, here are the broad options, and here are the issues involved with each of them.

“That's just the right way to lead. I've got to do what's best for this country.”

The Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party are expected to all speak in favour of rejoining the EU.

However, Reform UK and the Tories remain ardently against reapplying to join the Brussels bloc.

Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have revealed they will undo any reset changes enacted by Labour.

The Reform UK leader also warned Labour was giving him a "gift" by reopening the debate in the Red Wall.