Four times Labour sought to undermine referendum as Rejoiners push to overturn the will of the people

Addressing the Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions today, Mr Burnham was accused of “doing Russia’s dirty work” as the Tory leader demanded answers over his claim Moscow attempted to interfere in the 2016 vote.

Mrs Badenoch told MPs: “This is the first time I have ever heard the head of MI5 slap down a Prime Minister for doing Russia’s dirty work for them.

“Either the Prime Minister knew what he was doing on that podcast, trying to undermine the 2016 referendum, or he opened his mouth on a matter of national security and said the first thing that came into his head.

“So does the Prime Minister agree with the director general of MI5 that talking up Russian interference was a mistake?”

Mr Burnham responded: “Well, I could ask her, Mr. Speaker whether she’s even read the Russia report yet. I also wonder whether she’s read the full comments from the former head of MI6.

“Because if she had, she wouldn’t have made the statements that she just made in this in this House.”

Mr Burnham has also made clear his intentions for a “pragmatic approach” to negotiations over a future UK-EU relationship.

The PM said: “If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have.

“We need to take a calm, clear-eyed, rational look at the world as it is today to consider what is best for our country. At every stage, the British public will be the boss, and I am clear that public opinion currently supports a pragmatic approach like the one I am suggesting.”

But Mr Burnham’s latest remarks are the latest in a string of attempts by the Government to return the UK to Europe in one way or another.

Back in 2018, Sir Keir Starmer, then Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, proposed that Britain remain in a customs union with the European Union after Brexit.

The policy was intended to preserve close trading ties with Europe, minimise barriers to trade and help avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Hailing the move at the time, Sir Keir said: “The customs arrangements at the moment are hardwired into the membership treaty, so I think everybody now recognises there is going to have to be a new treaty [between the UK and the EU].

“It will do the work of the customs union. That’s the intention.”

After becoming Prime Minister in 2024, Sir Keir then made a second push towards closer alignment with the EU, securing an agreement to extend EU fishing access to British waters until 2038, alongside proposals to align Britain with EU regulations.

Instead of the fishing waters being negotiated annually, Sir Keir’s Government instead agreed to maintain the existing arrangements for another 12 years.

Hailing the benefits of the deal for UK fishermen, the ex-Prime Minister said: “The deal we have struck makes it easier for fishermen to sell into the EU market. Some 72 per cent of their fish is sold into the EU market.

“This makes it easier for them to sell their fish into the market, which is hugely important to them.”

Another Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, also attempted to completely rejoin the European Union by proposing a second referendum in 2019.

The party’s November 2019 manifesto, titled It’s Time for Real Change, set out a timetable for a second referendum.

It said: “Within three months of coming to power, a Labour Government will secure a sensible deal. And within six months, we will put that deal to a public vote alongside the option to remain.

“A Labour Government will implement whatever the people decide.”