Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who served as party leader from 1983 to 1992, has interpreted Burnham’s diplomatic pivot as a definitive signal of intent. Speaking to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Lord Kinnock stated that it is “obvious” the Prime Minister is hoping to rejoin the bloc. “Andy makes the declaration of his determination to change the relationship, and it’s obvious that his objective is to join again,” Kinnock said. He characterized Burnham’s commitment as “authentic,” noting that the Prime Minister has “always been a committed pro-European.”
The current political landscape in the UK is marked by a shifting consensus on European integration. For years, the Labour Party maintained what were described as “red lines” on the issue, explicitly ruling out rejoining the customs union and the single market, as well as restoring the free movement of labour. In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Lord Kinnock urged Burnham not to be constrained by these previous party positions. “The only patriotic thing to do is to get us back into the European Union – it’s as raw and as basic as that,” Kinnock argued. He suggested that any other option fails to serve the national interest, framing reintegration not merely as a policy preference but as a duty of care to the nation.
Kinnock’s arguments are rooted in a critique of the democratic process that led to Brexit in 2016. He questioned whether the outcome of that single, yes/no referendum still accurately reflects the views of the British public a decade later. “A one-off referendum… might legitimately represent the view of a generation or a given population on a given day. The view could have changed a fortnight later – certainly 10 years later,” he said. He urged the government to act for future generations, noting, “Do it for the kids. They didn’t get a chance to have a say.”
While the political rhetoric around rejoining the EU intensifies, the mechanics of such a move remain complex. Kinnock acknowledged that the institutional landscape has shifted since 2016. “There can’t be any rejoining because the place that was there in 2016 doesn’t exist any longer,” he explained. He noted that while the process may feel like starting from scratch, the UK is not entirely isolated from European norms. “So many of our regulations and practices and conventions adhere to European standards naturally after nearly 50 years in,” he said. “So we’re not quite starting from scratch, but we’ve got to build with it.”
This diplomatic shift occurs against a backdrop of significant internal party developments. In the same week Burnham outlined his Brussels strategy, he appointed Stephen Kinnock, Neil Kinnock’s son, as Welsh Secretary. The 84-year-old Lord Kinnock described the appointment as “a delight,” stating his son had earned the role through “a lifetime of action and service.” Stephen Kinnock, the MP for Aberafan Maesteg, replaced Jo Stevens, who had faced criticism from some Welsh Labour politicians for opposing additional devolution powers, such as those for policing. Stephen Kinnock pledged to champion Welsh interests within a “strong United Kingdom,” a formulation that aligns with the broader unionist stance while navigating the complex relationship between Westminster and Brussels.
Lord Kinnock also addressed potential accusations of political inconsistency regarding Burnham’s stance. During the recent Makerfield by-election, Burnham had promised not to “re-run” Brexit arguments. Kinnock dismissed this as a tactical decision rather than a change in ideological direction. “He’s always been a committed pro-European. In the by-election, he rightly didn’t make a noise about it,” Kinnock said. “That’s tomorrow’s debate. Simply because the by-election wasn’t about Europe. It was about winning Makerfield in order to enable him to become leader of the party. That’s all it was about.”
Opposing views and the practical hurdles of rejoining remain significant. The UK’s current status involves a complex web of trade agreements and regulatory divergences that took years to negotiate. While Kinnock frames rejoining as a patriotic imperative, critics argue that the economic and sovereign costs of re-entering the EU’s single market and customs union remain substantial. Furthermore, the political capital required to overturn the 2016 referendum result is immense, and Burnham’s government faces the challenge of translating a “reset” in relations into a formal membership application, a step that would likely require a new public mandate.
As the Prime Minister prepares for the Brussels summit, the focus remains on the specific areas of growth, immigration, and security. Kinnock’s intervention adds a layer of high-profile endorsement to the pro-European faction within the Labour Party, signaling that the “red lines” of the past may be viewed as outdated by the party’s senior figures. The next critical development will be the outcome of the Brussels meeting, where the depth of the proposed “reset” will be tested against the realities of current EU-UK relations.
