UK Opens Negotiations for Long-Term EU Deal That May Restore Free Movement

British government officials have begun discussions with the European Union regarding a long-term relationship that could restore free movement between the two entities. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced the start of these talks while emphasizing that the British public retains final authority over any accepted terms.

The immediate focus for negotiators remains an EU summit scheduled for November. Both sides aim to finalize an agreement that eases specific trading restrictions and includes a youth mobility deal. Reynolds stated that Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants a stable and lasting relationship with the bloc. He cited a food and drink deal and changes to emissions trading as measures that would yield tangible improvements.

Reynolds told BBC Radio 4 that the government must limit uncertainty caused by upcoming policy changes in the EU. He indicated that the Prime Minister will define the shape of the long-term relationship after the November summit. Reynolds said Burnham would be frank with the public about the trade-offs involved in the negotiations. He stressed that no assumptions have been made about the post-summit stage and that voters will have a say in the final decision, though he did not specify whether that mechanism would be a general election or a referendum.

Reynolds asserted that the British people are the ones who will decide the outcome. This stance contrasts with views from some Labour backbenchers representing pro-Brexit seats in the north and the Midlands. Melanie Onn, the MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, described the debate as unnecessary at this time. She said she is still not over the divisive nature of the previous referendum debate and believes the political scars have not healed.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the move, calling it very poor indeed to begin discussing free movement. He noted that Burnham told leave-voting Makerfield five months ago that he would not reopen these arguments. Farage also pointed out that the Labour government, elected two and a half years ago, promised not to re-enter the single market or customs union. He argued the Prime Minister has no mandate for officials to already be negotiating in Brussels.

Prime Minister Burnham recently told the Sunday Times that an honest discussion about free movement is required. He clarified that ruling it out would no longer be a red line in EU talks. Burnham stated that rejoining the single market and accepting free movement could be achieved without another referendum if Labour included it in its manifesto. However, he noted that fully rejoining the EU would require another in-out vote.

Burnham acknowledged that free movement posed very significant challenges in the past. He described it as a different type of immigration compared to current levels. He asked if the balance of migration has changed since then and added that the country must engage in an honest discussion about the issue.