Andy Burnham gags Cabinet on rejoin EU plot as Labour braces for Brexit civil war

However, the Prime Minister has already gone beyond his commitment to keep all options open, expressing his personal support for rejoining the Brussels bloc in his lifetime.

Slapping down dissent from within his Cabinet, Mr Burnham told ITV: “I am also clear that any fundamental change to the direction of the relationship would be for the public to decide and a matter for the next Parliament.

“We have an agreed mandate for the summit. This is Government policy to which Cabinet collective responsibility applies.

“In the period beyond the summit, Government policy will be to explore options for the long-term relationship with the EU for consideration in the next Parliament.

“At the end of this process, we will set out to the country the respective merits and drawbacks of the various options.

“It is important that we remain aligned and disciplined as a Government in our messaging throughout this period.

“It will not be appropriate for ministers individually to advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process.”

However, there is precedent for Prime Ministers to temporarily suspend collective responsibility during debates about Europe.

Harold Wilson allowed Cabinet ministers Michael Foot, Tony Benn, Peter Shore, Barbara Castle, Eric Varley, William Ross and John Silkin to vote to leave the European Economic Community in 1975.

David Cameron also suspended collective responsibility when Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith, John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers and Priti Patel backed Brexit in 2016.

It has recently been suggested that even more Labour ministers oppose rejoining the EU, with 13 out of 28 expressing concerns about the Brussels bloc.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper have all been identified as Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers.

Ms Mahmood has been at loggerheads with the Prime Minister over Brexit and migration after being blindsided by Mr Burnham’s announcement about freedom of movement.

GB News also revealed last month that No10 had been undermining the Home Office by suggesting the UK’s departure from the EU was fuelling a surge in small boat crossings.

Mr Burnham has also come under fire over his stance on Brexit, having told voters in Brexit-backing Makerfield he would not reopen the debate while campaigning in July.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of having “opened his mouth without engaging his brain” after sparking a row about freedom of movement.

Mr Burnham insisted: “There is no confusion at all.

“The Government has a collectively agreed position, which I have set out today.

“It is entirely consistent with everything that I’ve said, including in the by-election.”

Mrs Badenoch dared Labour MPs to defy the Prime Minister by speaking out about the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

She said: “What about the backbenchers? Let’s have a show of hands. Who wants free movement?”

Mrs Badenoch added: “I know the Prime Minister doesn’t want to look behind him, but nobody raised their hand.”