Burnham told the Commons he wanted to secure a deal on the agreements — begun by previous Prime Minister Keir Starmer — and then begin a “calm, clear-eyed, rational look” at even closer relations.
“If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have,” he said.
“Sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain. Worse, it would be a major dereliction of duty to turn away.”
He added: “Our immediate priority is securing a successful outcome at the summit, and I believe we should then set up a serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term.”
The prime minister also said the meeting would present an opportunity to “raise our concerns about Made In Europe” — the EU’s program of protectionism which some countries want to exclude the U.K.
Burnham has previously suggested these future options could include rejoining the single market, customs union, or even the EU wholesale.