Andy Burnham has insisted there is “no confusion” over his position on the European Union, as he criticised the UK’s current deal with the bloc.
The prime minister said it was his “responsibility” to improve the deal, which was ratified in 2020, at a summit in Brussels next month.
He denied he had shifted his stance since the Makerfield by-election when he promised not to “re-run” the Brexit debate. Earlier this week, he suggested he could call a referendum on the UK returning to EU freedom of movement, before No10 appeared to backtrack.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday of failing to “respect” the 2016 Brexit vote.
Badenoch said Burnham had created confusion and asked if he wanted a referendum on rejoining the EU.
“There is no confusion at all,” Burnham told MPs.
“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.
“The red lines in our manifesto, including on freedom of movement, will stay in place firmly for the whole of this Parliament.”
Badenoch accused Burnham of having “opened his mouth without engaging his brain” over freedom of movement during “the chancellor’s big week” as the Budget is unveiled.
Recalling the mood in Parliament and the country in 2017 when the current Brexit deal was being fought over, Badenoch said: “We do not want to go through that again – the country was paralysed.
“It was miserable, regardless of which side of the debate you were on.”
Burnham said Badenoch was “speaking the truth” here and the country had suffered from low growth and insufficient control on migration as a result of a “harder Brexit than what was promised” in the 2016 referendum.
“Where I am focused is getting a better deal for Britain, that is my responsibility, and I will lead from this despatch box over the next few weeks,” Burnham said.
At a summit in Brussels on 20 November, Burnham will push options for a reset of relations with the bloc on issues such as youth mobility, food, drink and energy.