Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has been hailed by European leaders as a thaw in EU-UK relations – but his agenda is far more focused on domestic revolution than foreign policy. The Liverpudlian labelled "King of the North" has built a career on regional politics and devolution, and his vision for industrialisation, regionalism and economic sovereignty may, paradoxically, pull Britain closer to Europe.
Burnham is taking over from Keir Starmer, who spent years trying to secure a "reset" in post-Brexit relations – mostly through security cooperation and easing trade barriers. But Burnham's instincts are more pro-European: he argued against the "isolation" of Brexit in 2016 and last year said he hoped Britain might rejoin the EU in his lifetime. However, he has since clarified his position, stating that Brexit has been "damaging" but that he is "not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU" in order to unify a divided country.
“How Andy Burnham's domestic-focused agenda might inadvertently bring the UK closer to Europe on EU issues and voting reform.”
So what, realistically, can Europe expect? The answer lies in Burnham's domestic priorities. As analyst Paul Taylor notes, Britain's "economic stagnation, declining relative living standards and latent social discontent" are partly due to the huge Brexit hit to trade and investment. "Even without the compelling security and geopolitical reasons for rapprochement with the EU," Taylor wrote, "closer engagement with Britain's main export market would be a no-brainer to deliver healthier growth." The challenge is that Labour's last election manifesto has immovable red lines: no single market, no customs union, no freedom of movement.
Burnham's approach, however, may circumvent those lines. His focus on regionalism and industrialisation could lead to greater alignment with EU standards and regulations, as the UK seeks to attract investment and boost trade. As analyst Joël Reland argued, Burnham's domestic revolution could ultimately bring the UK closer to the EU, even without formal membership.
Meanwhile, Burnham is also considering electoral reforms that could reshape UK politics. The third reading of the Representation of the People Bill – which would lower the voting age to 16 and tighten campaign finance rules – has been postponed. Among the amendments are calls for a national commission on electoral reform and, more controversially, a "compulsory duty to vote". Proponents point to Australia, where compulsory voting since 1924 has led to turnout rates of 90 per cent. In contrast, the 2024 UK general election saw turnout below 60 per cent, falling to 53 per cent when unregistered eligible voters are included.
The issue matters because low turnout skews representation. According to the Constitutional Society's 2025 report "Universal Suffrage?", turnout in 2024 was significantly higher among voters who were white (by 13 points), wealthy (22), older (34) and outright homeowners (36) compared with ethnic minority, poor, younger and renting counterparts. This creates a political system that responds to the interests of those who vote, leaving others behind. As the report states, "Low and unequal turnout can no longer be seen as merely a symptom of democratic malaise, but must now be understood as a contributing factor – one that warps the incentives of the political class, and contributes to skewed, inequitable and ineffectual policymaking."
Q: Will Andy Burnham try to take the UK back into the EU? No. Burnham has explicitly said he is not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU, despite his pro-European instincts. His focus is on unifying the country, not reopening old arguments. However, his domestic policies on regionalism and industrialisation could lead to closer alignment with EU rules and standards.
Q: What is the 'compulsory duty to vote' amendment and would it apply to all elections? It is an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill proposed by Labour MPs Antonia Bance and Bell Ribeiro-Addy. It would introduce a compulsory duty to vote, similar to Australia's system, which has achieved turnout rates of 90 per cent. The details are still under debate, and the bill has been postponed until after parliament's summer recess.
Q: How has Brexit actually affected the UK economy according to the sources? One report claims the UK economy is 6% smaller than it would have been without Brexit, but critics note this is a hypothetical scenario. In reality, between 2016 and 2025, the UK outgrew France, Italy and Germany. The debate over Brexit's economic impact continues, with some arguing that the focus should shift to making Brexit work rather than re-running old arguments.
What happens next depends on Burnham's legislative agenda. The Representation of the People Bill will return after the summer recess. Meanwhile, his first steps on EU relations will be closely watched, especially any moves to align UK industrial policy with European standards. European leaders like Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz have all expressed hope for closer ties, but the path remains uncertain.