Andy Burnham says British public will decide future EU ties as Brexit debate returns

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a fresh discussion about the UK's future relationship with the European Union, insisting that voters will have the final say on any major changes.

Burnham said closer cooperation with Europe could help Britain improve economic growth, manage immigration and strengthen national security.

“The status quo is not good enough for Britain,” he said and argued that the government should consider its long-term relationship with the EU after securing an agreement at an upcoming summit.

“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.”

However, Burnham stressed that he was not seeking to overturn the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Conservative MP Edward Leigh questioned whether the prime minister would promise not to pursue EU membership without first holding a general election and offering voters another referendum.

Burnham said he supported that position: “I am not reopening the referendum. I respect the referendum result … but what I will do is take a pragmatic approach.”

He said his government would pursue closer cooperation with European countries where it could benefit Britain's economy and help tackle irregular migration across the English Channel.