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Join today<\/a><\/p>\n \n Already a member? Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n Almost half of all UK voters support rejoining the European Union, according to a new megapoll which will boost Andy Burnham<\/a> over the Brexit debate. <\/p>\n Rejoining the EU was favoured by 49 per cent of 11,461 people polled by the Messina Group, compared to the 28.5 per cent against, as reported inThe Guardian.<\/a><\/p>\n The poll also found that renegotiating the UK\u2019s relationship with the EU could boost Labour\u2019s vote share by as much as seven points<\/a>, with most votes shifting from the Greens and Liberal Democrats for all scenarios that resulted in closer ties.<\/p>\n It comes days after the prime minister acknowledged he could go \u201call the way\u201d and propose rejoining the EU as he considers the UK\u2019s future relationship with Brussels. He also suggested it is \u201cpossible\u201d Labour\u2019s next election manifesto could include an in-out referendum<\/a>.<\/p>\n The poll looked at a number of options for relationships with the UK. The second most popular was to keep the existing relationship but cut as many trade barriers as possible with 48.2 per cent showing support and 20.9 per cent against. A customs union came next \u2013 as called for by former Tory Chancellor George Osborne <\/a>during an interview with The Independent earlier this month \u2013 with 47.1 per cent in favour and 20.7 per cent not, according to the report. <\/p>\n Almost a third of voters in the poll, which involved UK adults who were asked between 12 and 24 September, said an in-out referendum would be needed before rejoining the EU, while more than one in six felt a general election mandate would be sufficient, the paper reported. The same proportion thought parliament could make the decision. <\/p>\n More than a quarter (25.9 per cent) said they wanted the UK to rejoin the EU immediately. A slightly lower proportion (22.9 per cent) said it should happen in the next three years and 8.4 per cent opted for over the next decade.<\/p>\n The Independent has led the campaign<\/a> for Britain to rebuild its relationship with Brussels on the basis of clear evidence that it has damaged the economy and failed to deliver promised benefits on a wide range of issues including immigration.<\/p>\n During his first Labour Party conference speech, Mr Burnham said that Brexit<\/a> had done \u201cmore harm than good\u201d and promised to set out the options to the country around the time of a UK-EU summit, which he said would be in November.<\/p>\n He insisted \u201cthis isn\u2019t about leaping to a referendum\u201d as he seeks to find a political consensus on the UK\u2019s future relationship with Brussels.<\/p>\n But, he said, if public opinion is \u201cpointing towards\u201d backing re-entry into the bloc, he could commit to holding a vote on the issue in the next manifesto.<\/p>\n He also declined to rule out skipping a referendum and fighting the next general election on a promise to rejoin.<\/p>\n Nigel Farage<\/a> called the prime minister\u2019s decision to reignite the Brexit debate a \u201cvery big political mistake\u201d. The Reform UK<\/a>, leader, who was a key proponent of Brexit ahead of the 2016 referendum, said on Thursday the Labour leader\u2019s position on Brussels was at odds with his interest in devolution.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the pro-devolution prime minister,\u201d Mr Farage told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cTo even consider rejoining the single market, the customs union, let alone the European Union itself, is the opposite of devolution \u2013 a massive transfer of huge powers up to an authority, whereby there\u2019s nothing Parliament could do to change any of it.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I find the whole thing totally contradictory.\u201d<\/p>\n He warned Mr Burnham had \u201copened the door to Reform in the most extraordinary way\u201d by promising to look at options for Britain\u2019s future relationship with the European Union.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron and Spain\u2019s prime minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking at a joint press conference in Madrid, welcomed Mr Burbham\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n Mr Macron said it was \u201cvery good news\u201d for both the UK and Europe, quipping: \u201cWelcome back.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Sanchez said Brexit was a \u201chuge loss\u201d for the UK population and the EU project, and that Spain would \u201copen its arms\u201d to the UK if it decided to rejoin.<\/p>\n
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Andy Burnham discussed the impact of Brexit during his first Labour Party conference speech (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2297878834...jpeg\")
Andy Burnham said he could commit to holding a vote on the issue in the next manifesto (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Nigel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/541810626...jpeg\")
Nigel Farage called Mr Burnham\u2019s pledge a \u2018big political mistake (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n