London, September 30, 2026: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that leaving the European Union through Brexit has done more harm than good to the United Kingdom, adding that the government is considering all possible options for its future relationship with the bloc, including a return to the Customs Union, the Single Market and even full EU membership.

Speaking to the BBC, the British prime minister said the government should review the arrangements established after Brexit and consider what kind of relationship with the European Union would best serve the UK’s national interests.

Burnham said the possible options could include maintaining the existing post-Brexit arrangements, rejoining the EU Customs Union, seeking closer participation in the Single Market or, ultimately, fully rejoining the European Union. He stressed, however, that no decision had been taken to pursue any particular option.

The prime minister’s remarks came a day after he told the Labour Party conference that Brexit had done more harm than good. He argued that Britain should now take a practical look at its relationship with the European Union and assess what changes could improve the country’s economic and wider interests.

Burnham’s comments have reopened a major debate in British politics over the long-term consequences of Brexit and the future shape of UK-EU relations. Issues including trade, economic cooperation, access to European markets and immigration have remained central to discussions over Britain’s post-Brexit arrangements.

Reuters reported that Burnham’s reference to full EU membership as one of the options under consideration represents a significant shift in the tone of the debate over Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. However, his remarks do not amount to an announcement that the UK has decided to seek readmission to the European Union.

Any decision to rejoin the EU would require a formal political and legal process, including negotiations with EU member states over the terms of membership. Arrangements involving the Customs Union or Single Market would also require negotiations and new agreements with the European Union, although they would differ from full membership.

The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, with the Brexit process subsequently culminating in Britain’s departure from the bloc. Since then, the economic, trade, immigration and political implications of Brexit have remained subjects of sustained debate in the country.

Burnham’s latest comments have therefore intensified discussion over whether Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union should be reconsidered. For now, however, the government’s position as outlined by the prime minister is that a range of options, including renewed EU membership, should be examined rather than that a decision to rejoin the bloc has been made.