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Burnham Urged to Rejoin EU Single Market After Brexit Damage

7/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Analysts describe Brexit as economic vandalism that deepened austerity-driven damage.
Newly elected Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being urged to rejoin the European Union.
Real wages are only two percent above 2008, a gap that would be a third larger without Brexit.
A Centre for European Reform paper says rejoining the single market, not just the customs union, is needed to restore trade.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 the United Kingdom entered the European Communities after Edward Heath signed the 1972 Treaty of Accession, following earlier failed applications in 1961 and 1963 that French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed. The 1975 referendum kept membership, with 67.2% voting to stay, and the 1993 EU single market later expanded UK trade. Today, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s push to re-join the single market echoes Heath’s original trade promise.

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Story summary

Analysts describe Brexit as economic vandalism that deepened austerity-driven damage.
Newly elected Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being urged to rejoin the European Union.
Real wages are only two percent above 2008, a gap that would be a third larger without Brexit.
A Centre for European Reform paper says rejoining the single market, not just the customs union, is needed to restore trade.

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