Andy Burnham has opened the door to the UK rejoining the European Union, after saying Brexit has done “more harm than good” in his first leader’s speech at a Labour conference.
The Prime Minister promised to set out different options for closer UK-EU relations later this year, and would try to build a consensus towards one before putting it to voters in the next general election.
Shortly afterwards, Downing Street did not rule out that these options included rejoining the EU.
The i Paper can reveal that Burnham’s dramatic shift on Brexit – he pledged in May not to “rerun” old debates – comes after fraught discussions with EU leaders. They warned him personally to tone down British demands to be included in the bloc’s Made In Europe policy.
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Caption: TOPSHOT – Argentina’s midfielder #11 Giovani Lo Celso adjusts a banner reading “The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) belong to Argentina,” after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between England and Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images)
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falklands
Why Argentina is threatening legal action against UK
President Javier Milei said he has instructed legal action against the UK for oil exploration work in the sea off the Falkland Islands, which he claims rightfully belong to Argentina.
What you need to know
Caption: CORRECTION / This photograph created on September 9, 2026, combining sources from Nasa, Gebco, OSM and the Falkland Islands government shows a map of the Sea Lion oil field off the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Argentine government announced on September 8, 2026 that it was sueing companies with links to an Israeli-British oil project near the Falkland Islands, as Buenos Aires escalates its claim over the territory. Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week war in 1982 over the South Atlantic islands, a British overseas territory that Argentines call Las Malvinas. Britain and Argentina fought a brief but bitter 10-week war in 1982 over the South Atlantic islands, a British overseas territory that Argentines call Las Malvinas and claims as an integral part of their land. (Photo by Omar KAMAL and Guillermo RIVAS PACHECO / various sources / AFP via Getty Images) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [This photograph created on September 9, 2026 combining sources from Nasa, Gebco, OSM and the Falkland Islands government shows a map of the Sea Lion oil field off the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in the South Atlantic Ocean.] instead of [This undated topographical handout image released on September 9, 2026 shows the location of the Sea Lion oil field off the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in the South Atlantic Ocean.]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and
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Milei has increased his hostility towards the UK over the status of the Falkland Islands.
In a post on X, he gave a two-week ultimatum for exploratory work at the Sea Lion oilfield project to be scrapped.
The British and Israeli companies involved insist they have valid licenses.
Analysis
5 min read
Milei’s antagonism
Milei accused the UK of “the illegal plundering of our resources” through oil drilling.
He said if his deadline is not met, his foreign ministry will “initiate international arbitration”.
It comes after Milei accused the UN of “looking the other way” on the disputed islands.
After the speech, Wes Streeting said Argentina “lacks the ability” to take the islands.
1 min read
Fifa accuses Uefa of ‘misinformation campaign’ – the latest
The world governing body of football has retaliated after the European association accused Fifa president Gianni Infantino of “criminal mismanagement”.
Caption: (FILES) FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds an official ball of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup during the “Making trade score for women!” discussion on the use of football as a tool for trade and development at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, on May 1, 2023. FIFA has accused European football’s governing body UEFA of a “misinformation” campaign in its bid to access documents related to Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off parts of the World Cup. In FIFA’s response in a court case in Florida, it says UEFA’s attempt to force the world body to hand over the documents is also an attempt to “influence” next year’s FIFA presidential election. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
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What you need to know
Last month, Uefa filed legal papers requesting disclosure of documents from Fifa.
The European federation accused Infantino of proposing to “fraudulently” sell off the World Cup.
Uefa led calls to reject the sell off plans, and is at the forefront of moves to try and oust Infantino.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt reiterated calls for Fifa to release all relevant documents.
3 min read
Fifa’s furious response
Uefa’s conduct demonstrates that its application was made in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment.
The filing said Uefa’s claims had “no basis whatsoever” and called Uefa’s request “farcically overbroad”.
Caption: Soccer Football – FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup – Final – Spain v North Korea – Stadion Miejski LKS, Lodz, Poland – September 27, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts after Spain win the Under-20 Women’s World Cup REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Photographer: Kacper Pempel
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In a Miami court filing, Fifa requested the court deny Uefa’s application for discovery.
Watch more from The i Paper
Should Gianni Infantino resign as Fifa president? Fresh questions are being asked about the relationship between football and politics after Donald Trump revealed he personally spoke to Infantino about Folarin Balogun’s suspension, prompting criticism from some of the sport’s biggest names. Former players, managers and officials are now debating whether the controversy has damaged confidence in Fifa’s independence. Infantino denies any political interference and says Fifa’s judicial bodies act independently, but the backlash shows no sign of slowing. #WorldCup #FifaWorldCup #Infantino #BalogunRedCard #DonaldTrump
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Caption: Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers his keynote speech to the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Tuesday September 29, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Photographer: Stefan Rousseau
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POLITICS
Key takeaways from Burnham’s conference speech
From the triple lock to water companies,
here we take you through the most important points from the landmark speech.
Burnham’s message of hope
The PM began: “Today we draw a line on a decade of division, we stop doomscrolling on posts running Britain down, and we put the country on a new path. Britain with belief again. People with hope again”
He added that the UK has been “run for vested interests, not the public interest” for too long, and that power has been held “in too few hands”.
Caption: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers his keynote speech on day three of the Labour Party Conference at Liverpool Experience Campus on September 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. Labour enters its annual party conference with a polling boost holding a four-point lead with 27% of the vote under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He took over the leadership in July this year and has since driven a turnaround in the party’s fortunes. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Photographer: Leon Neal
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4 min read
The key takeaways
1Burnham announced his plan to end the triple lock state pension in 2030.
2Finally, after months of trailing, the PM unveiled plans for a national care service.
3The Government will bring in a new Water Bill which will end the ban on public water ownership.
4Councils will be given the power to take over poor quality homes if landlords refuse to improve them. He also promised “long-overdue leasehold reform”.
In pictures: Ministers gather for speech
Caption: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Defence, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for the Home Department, Shabana Mahmood and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, Hamish Falconer arrive ahead of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s keynote speech on day three of the Labour Party Conference at Liverpool Experience Campus on September 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. Labour enters its annual party conference with a polling boost holding a four-point lead with 27% of the vote under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He took over the leadership in July this year and has since driven a turnaround in the party’s fortunes. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Photographer: Leon Neal
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Caption: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, gestures during day three of the Labour Party Conference at Liverpool Experience Campus on September 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. Labour enters its annual party conference with a polling boost holding a four-point lead with 27% of the vote under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He took over the leadership in July this year and has since driven a turnaround in the party’s fortunes. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Photographer: Christopher Furlong
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Caption: Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley, First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey and Education Secretary Lucy Powell listening to the keynote speech by Prime Minister Andy Burnham during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Tuesday September 29, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Photographer: Stefan Rousseau
Provider: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Source: PA
Change to electoral system
Burnham also announced Labour’s next manifesto will contain a “commitment to change the electoral system”.
The PM added that he is creating a “new national commission on electoral reform”.
“In past years, you have voted twice to support electoral reform. I hear you, I agree with you…I invite all the political parties to be part of its work,” Burnham said.
Watch more from The i Paper
Andy Burnham has taken a jab at former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ infamous 49 days in power. Speaking at the annual Labour Party conference, Burnham said “I am ten weeks into this job, and not all of my recent predecessors have been able to say that”.
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The EU’s protectionist Made In Europe rules would favour European manufacturers for public procurement, and risk harming British businesses.
A diplomatic source said Burnham was told directly that UK inclusion in the policy, which threatens Britain’s economy, was not possible this year, and should not be linked to the Brexit reset talks. This underlined the limits of Labour’s negotiating red lines: no rejoining the single market, customs union or free movement.
Following the tense discussions in recent days, Burnham used his conference speech to say he was now prepared to drop those red lines after the next general election.
In a possible reference to the Made In Europe row, the Prime Minister said the UK had “lost some control” over the economy, as well as immigration, by leaving the EU.
He added: “We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of the century until we decide on a long-term relationship with what is still our largest market.
“I cannot say to you that where we are is good enough. Brexit has done more harm than good.
“So I will take the opportunity around the [UK-EU] summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe are the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners. And there are different options.
“And I will see if we can find consensus around one which will give us clarity about our position and the future of the continent that we live in.”
The Prime Minister’s political spokesman refused to rule out one of the options being rejoining the EU, and declined to respond on whether the single market or customs union could also be included in the proposals.
It likely Burnham will put the chosen option in the next manifesto.
The next UK-EU summit is due to take place before the end of the year, and is designed to sign deals on a youth visa scheme, food and drink trade, and electricity markets.
Negotiations have been deadlocked. The UK’s demand to be included in Made In Europe – in return for agreeing to lower tuition fees for European students as part of a youth mobility deal – sparked anger in Brussels, and the personal warnings to the PM.
Delaying talks on tuition fees and Made In Europe until next year – as Sir Keir Starmer is believed to have suggested previously – could be a solution.
However, European Commission officials are demanding a resolution on fees, the diplomatic source suggested.
Responding to Burnham’s shift, Stella Creasy, the Walthamstow MP and chair of Labour Movement for Europe (LME), said: “Andy Burnham has spoken the truth that the British people are living every day: Brexit has done more harm than good.
“We in [LME] warmly welcome the news that the Prime Minister will present to the country the full options for this country’s relationship with the EU.
“Everything must be on the table. Removing the red lines on Europe is the essential first step to restoring this country’s place on the world stage.
“We stand with this Prime Minister in making the changes that truly live up to the challenges of 2026, not 2016.”
Naomi Smith, chief executive of pro-EU pressure group Best for Britain, said Burnham should go further and pledge to re-join the bloc. She added: “It’s vital the Labour Government seizes this moment, not in 2029 or a year, or six months’ time.”