"Andy Burnham is open to adopting EU free movement" Finally, a grown up being practical and sensible 👏 Free article by @benrileysmith thetimes.com/article/491a046… Burnham said: “Freedom of movement had very significant challenges associated with it and I spoke about them in my previous time in parliament. But, at the same time, it was a type of immigration that perhaps wasn’t as difficult [as now]. Revolving door migration where people would come and then go back is different. The balance of migration has changed, hasn’t it, since then? I think we’ve just got to have an honest discussion about those things.” "It was generally younger people, not always, but spending a few years, then going back. And obviously the ease of that worked for British people as well." Analysis by the Migration Observatory at Oxford University shows EU migrants generally tend to stay a shorter time in the UK than non-EU migrants. Burnham said: “I am positive about closer ties with Europe and I’m not hiding that. I think it will add to British GDP. I think it will give us stronger control of migration. I want to make those arguments.” My view: We should be able to discuss mobility with Europe without treating the subject as taboo. People’s lives, work and families cross borders; policy should reflect that reality. A mature debate would weigh the pressures on public services and communities alongside the benefits of making it easier for people to study, work and build lives across Europe. It would also ask what arrangements give the UK practical control while restoring opportunities we’ve lost. That’s the kind of conversation voters deserve: honest about the costs, clear about the choices, and focused on what works for people.

Alastair Campbell, "Andy Burnham has been telling the truth, that's for sure" "I don't think that anybody can say Brexit has been a success for the country" "It's done enormous damage to our economic interests, our trade interests, our soft power" "It's done a lot of damage and I think Andy Burnham is just opening the debate to say we now have to look at how best we fix this" "I do think there is an appetite and understanding that we've got to get closer to Europe" "Particularly at a time when China is so dominant and America is so unreliable" "Yes you can say you might have a far right government in France, the far right in Germany are doing very very well - I don't think that's an argument against Britain trying to reclaim influence over Europe" Paddy O'Connell, "There's only one man tonight who has invented a new word, what is Persevilience - the title of your book?" Alastair Campbell, "It is the capacity to turn any setback into a positive opportunity" My view: Alastair Campbell says Andy Burnham is telling the truth: nobody can seriously claim Brexit has been a success for Britain. It has damaged our economic and trade interests, weakened our soft power and left us with less influence at a time when China is increasingly dominant and America is increasingly unreliable. Getting closer to Europe doesn’t mean pretending every European government is perfect. It means recognising that Britain is stronger when it has a voice in shaping the continent’s future. And Campbell’s word for turning setbacks into opportunities? “Persevilience.” Brexit was a setback of our own making. The challenge now is to find the courage to fix the damage.

Terry Reintke, “Brexit has caused more damage than good.” “I think I'm the 5th speaker in this debate who is quoting Andy Burnham because he's right.” “There has been so much damage economically, politically, but most of all for the people in the UK.” “We have seen two decades of division, because that is what demagogues and populists cause, and this is the only thing that they cause damage, pain, scars, broken promises.” “Building unity and a future, they cannot.” “We can, because that is what the European Union has effectively done over the past decades building unity, making friends out of enemies, creating peace instead of war, freedom instead of oppression, prosperity instead of small minded national competition, together with the United Kingdom for many decades, and this unity is worth fighting for, especially now when we have so many lunatics all around the world in power.” “So first, any move closer is a good move, the better.” “We cannot become the enemy of the good in this.” “Whatever we can, we should do, be it Erasmus, be it Horizon, be it the Customs union, you name it.” “Second, of course, you can come back.” “We do not debate this here at all, because we all agree we want the UK back in the European Union, and thirdly, dear friends in the UK, whether you voted for Brexit or not, know this the European Union is not your enemy.” “It has never been and it will never be.” “Brexit was a mistake and to admit that is not a sign of weakness, but it is a sign of strength, and it is a mistake that can be corrected by all of us, so let's do it.” “Thank you very much.” My view: Brexit was sold as a route to greater freedom and prosperity. Instead, it deepened divisions and left people living with the consequences of promises that were never fulfilled. Admitting that Brexit was a mistake is not weakness; it is the first step towards putting things right. The European Union is not perfect, and closer cooperation will not solve every problem. But it has shown the value of countries working together: building peace, shared opportunity and stronger ties between people who were once set against one another. The UK should never have been treated as Europe’s enemy, and Europe should not be treated as ours. Every practical step closer matters, whether through Erasmus, Horizon or a closer trading relationship. But we should not let “the good” become an excuse to avoid discussing what would serve people best. Britain should be able to consider the full range of options, including rejoining the EU. The mistake can be corrected—and there is strength in having the courage to do it.