Burnham Says UK Lost More Than Gained From Brexit 2026

Andy Burnham has said the UK has lost more than we gained from Brexit, marking a significant shift in the Labour leadership's tone on the issue. The prime minister's comments come as he prepares to meet European leaders next week to secure a new deal.

Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference on Saturday, Burnham accused the Conservative party of having burned all our bridges with the EU and outlined his desire to form closer ties with Brussels. He argued that a new deal could help lower food prices and support British exporters.

Burnham's Brexit Admission: What He Said

Burnham stated: "I think we've lost more than we've gained over the last 10 years, and, actually, I think the Conservatives gave Britain a harsher and harder Brexit than people thought they were getting when they voted in 2016." This is a notable admission from a senior Labour figure, as the party has previously avoided direct criticism of Brexit.

The prime minister also emphasised the need to take difficult decisions to address the cost of living. He said: "We need to be willing to take difficult decisions to get the cost of living down. It's why, in a few days' time, I will head to the next UK-EU summit and I will be working hard as we move towards it to get to a new deal on food and farming between the UK and the EU."

Why This Matters: The Economic Context

Burnham's comments come amid growing evidence of Brexit's economic impact. The UK has faced increased trade friction with the EU, its largest trading partner, leading to higher food prices and reduced exports for many businesses. The prime minister's proposed deal aims to address these issues.

According to Burnham, the agreements he hopes to secure could raise GDP by 0.4% – about £17bn – including on food and farming, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme. He will also "explore options" for a different long-term relationship with Brussels.

What the New Deal Could Include

The prime minister is due to meet European leaders at a summit next week to secure agreements that he says could boost the economy. Key areas include:

• Food and farming: Reducing border checks and tariffs to lower food prices.
• Emissions trading: Aligning carbon markets to reduce costs for businesses.
• Youth mobility: Easing travel and work restrictions for young people.
• Long-term relationship: Exploring options for closer ties beyond the immediate deal.

These measures, if agreed, could provide a much-needed boost to UK exporters and consumers. However, any deal will require careful negotiation with the EU, which has its own priorities.

Political Implications for Labour

Burnham's remarks are significant because they break with the Labour leadership's previous reluctance to criticise Brexit. By acknowledging the losses, Burnham may be positioning Labour as a party willing to confront the reality of Brexit and seek practical solutions.

This could appeal to voters who feel Brexit has not delivered on its promises, particularly in traditional Labour heartlands. However, it also risks alienating those who support Brexit and may see any move towards closer EU ties as a betrayal.

What to Watch Next

The upcoming UK-EU summit will be a key test of Burnham's approach. If he can secure a deal that visibly lowers food prices and helps exporters, it could be a political win. But if talks stall or the benefits are not felt, it could reinforce the sense that Brexit is not working. The background to this story is set out in Labour's Lost Voters: Can Burnham Win Back Support?. A related thread runs through Andy Burnham Promises Serious Dialogue on UK-EU Relationship. Earlier coverage in Andy Burnham's Challenge: Winning Back Labour Bases Lost by Starm shows how the argument developed.

As the government seeks to reshape its relationship with the EU, the debate over Brexit's costs and benefits is far from over. Burnham's comments signal a new phase in that debate, one where the focus is on practical solutions rather than ideology. A closer look at the same subject appears in UK Labour Seeks Deeper EU Relationship Under Burnham. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Andy Burnham's EU Reset: UK-Europe Relations After Brexit. The same theme surfaces in Andy Burnham's Domestic Revolution May Ease UK-EU Relations, which takes a different angle.

For those tracking the broader implications of social care reform and public spending, the Burnham social care reform analysis offers a parallel look at how policy decisions shape outcomes. Context on how this played out before sits in Andy Burnham Coronation: Labour Leadership Victory Analysis. A companion piece, Andy Burnham EU Review: Options for UK-EU Relations, approaches the same subject from another angle.