---
title: "Britain Changes Course: Burnham Does Not Rule Out EU Return in 2029"
description: "British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has for the first time floated the idea of full UK return to the EU by 2029, outlining three future cooperation scenarios."
date: 2026-09-30T08:48:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/britain-changes-course-burnham-does-not-rule-out-eu-return
tags: [brexit, andy-burnham, uk-eu, politics, european-union]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Britain Changes Course: Burnham Does Not Rule Out EU Return in 2029

![British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers a statement on future relations with the EU](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/30/britaniya-izmenyaet-kurs-bernem-dopustil-vozvraschenie-v-es/britaniya-izmenyaet-kurs-bernem-dopustil-vozvraschenie-v-es-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Andy Burnham has for the first time floated full UK return to the EU.
- Three scenarios are considered: status-кvo, single market, customs union.
- A new strategic course will be presented to voters at the 2029 elections.
- A Best for Britain poll showed that 53% of Britons support returning to the EU.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly raised the possibility of the country's full return to the European Union for the first time since the historic Brexit referendum. This statement was made against the backdrop of growing discussions regarding the future of the United Kingdom's foreign policy and economic trajectory. ### Three Scenarios and the 2029 Horizon

The head of the British government outlined three key options for developing relations with the European bloc, which are scheduled for discussion at the UK-EU summit later this year. The first scenario involves maintaining the status quo. The second option entails returning to the EU single market, while the third involves joining the customs union. Furthermore, Burnham explicitly stated the possibility of going all the way and restoring full membership in the organization, tying this step to the upcoming general elections in 2029. ### Domestic Political Context and the Labour Position

Speaking at the annual Labour Party conference, the Prime Minister emphasized that the current framework of engagement with Brussels does not serve Britain's interests. Nevertheless, the government intends to strictly adhere to its current electoral manifesto throughout the parliamentary term. This means no immediate revision of existing arrangements is planned, and the final strategic choice will be presented to voters by the time of the 2029 vote.

### Contradictory Data

On one hand, sociological research conducted by the Best for Britain organization in April 2026 shows solid public support for European integration, with 53% of Britons favoring a return to the EU. On the other hand, officials in Brussels have repeatedly warned London that upon re-entry, the country would not be able to rely on its previous exemptions and privileges, having to accept the standard rules applicable to all member states.

### Economic and Geopolitical Consequences

A pivot by the British political elite toward revising the outcomes of Brexit could drastically alter the balance of power in Europe and severely impact the UK economy. Returning to the single market or customs union would lower trade barriers, but it would require massive adaptation of national legislation to European standards.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Британия изменяет курс: Бернем допустил возвращение в ЕС в 2029 году](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/britaniya-zminyue-kurs-bernem-dopustiv-povernennya-1790757907.html) - Первоисточник заявления британского премьера о планах на саммит и выборах 2029 года.
- [Трамп готов перекрыть дизель, Британия допускает возвращение в ЕС, Япония спорит с Уставом ООН ...](https://rtvi.com/news/tramp-gotov-perekryt-dizel-britaniya-dopuskaet-vozvrashhenie-v-es-yaponiya-sporit-s-ustavom-oon-obzor-zapadnoj-pressy/) - Обзор западной прессы, подтверждающий заявления Бернема.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What EU relationship options is Andy Burnham considering?
**A:** The Prime Minister is considering maintaining the status quo, returning to the single market, joining the customs union, or fully returning to the EU.

### Q: When is the new course in relations with the bloc scheduled to be defined?
**A:** The new course is scheduled to be defined at the UK-EU summit later this year, with the final decision put to the 2029 elections.