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Burnham pushes four nations to progress on devolution

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Minister Andy Burnham met Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Welsh Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth on devolution.
Burnham said no UK nation should be left behind and four must progress together.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting accused Scotland of hoarding powers rather than further devolving them.
Plaid Cymru, after its May Senedd win, asked Burnham to grant Wales Scotland's powers.
Cosla and three unions warned Scottish reforms risk a top-down approach.

Summary

Public polls show 60% view Brexit as a mistake, with only a third supporting it.
Economists estimate Brexit cost the UK 6-8% of GDP, despite earlier disaster forecasts.
Chancellor John Healey says he does not expect UK re-entry to the EU.
Burnham hopes Britain re-joins the EU in his lifetime but will wait for backing.
55% would back EU re-entry, dropping to 35% if it required the euro and Schengen.

History

After Edward Heath’s Conservative government brought the United Kingdom into the European Communities on 1 January 1973, Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson renegotiated terms and, honoring the October 1974 manifesto, held the nation’s first UK-wide referendum on 5 June 1975. Sixty-seven percent voted to stay, with a 64 % turnout, cementing a pro-European trajectory that lasted until the 2016 Brexit vote.

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After Edward Heath’s Conservative government brought the United Kingdom into the European Communities on 1 January 1973, Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson renegotiated terms and, honoring the October 1974 manifesto, held the nation’s first UK-wide referendum on 5 June 1975. Sixty-seven percent voted to stay, with a 64 % turnout, cementing a pro-European trajectory that lasted until the 2016 Brexit vote.

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