Politics Joe — Highlights: Andy Burnham Hammers Kemi Badenoch over Brexit Failings at PMQs

Oct 28, 2026 | Today just the co-main event, but Andy Burnham made Kemi Badenoch look rather silly at PMQs when she interrogated his government's plans to reopen the conversation on Brexit.

Brexit: Der größte Fehler der Briten, Ulrike Herrmann?

Der Brexit habe in Großbritannien Schleifspuren hinterlassen, sagt Wirtschaftsjournalistin und Bestsellerautorin Ulrike Herrmann. Sie erklärt, warum die Rechnung der Briten beim EU-Austritt nicht aufgegangen ist und es der Bevölkerung schlechter geht, als eingangs erwartet.
Ulrike Herrmann zeigt, wie der Brexit den Briten geschadet hat.

UK Could Quickly Re-enter EU with ‘Switzerland Plus’ Deal, Senior MEP Says

THE GUARDIAN: Bernd Lange, who was involved in Brexit talks, says deal could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties

Andy Burnham has said he is looking at all options for the UK’s relationship with the EU. Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images
The UK could re-enter the EU in a “Switzerland plus” package that could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties with the bloc, the head of a European parliament committee has said.

Bernd Lange, who was heavily involved in Brexit negotiations, said: “I would love to see the UK back.” He said the EU missed the UK in decision-making because of its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy.

A Swiss style arrangement is often considered a halfway house to full membership of the bloc but involves free movement and regulatory alignment.

Switzerland is not a member of the EU but it struck a deal last year cementing its “frictionless access” to the single market across more than 100 agreements with a new framework deal.

This gives it access to the EU’s electricity market, space programmes, Erasmus and the Digital Europe research programme, and participation in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

In exchange, Switzerland agreed to the free movement of people and to pay €375m (£326m) a year into the EU’s economic and cohesion funds. » | Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent | Friday, October 16, 2026

Peter Stevanic: “There Is Not a Single Sign of Any Overall Economic Damage Done by Brexit,” Says Nigel Farage

October 15, 2026

That charlatan—Farage—has done untold damage to the UK economy; furthermore, he has robbed UK citizens of their rights as European citizens, which they once had. That intolerable man is full of hot air. Further, he lacks all and any substance, just like all snake oil salesmen do. — © Mark Alexander

Do We Need to Talk About Brexit?

Oct 14, 2026 | Andy Burnham announced this week that UK and EU leaders will meet in November to discuss a reset in relations. Brexit has been bad for the country, Burnham said, and a closer relationship with Europe will foster economic growth and strengthen national security. Is he right? What is he hoping to accomplish in November? And is now the time to reopen the fraught debate over Britain’s decision to leave the EU? …

I am so impressed by Andy Burnham’s honesty and courage to speak the truth, especially because many people don’t wish to hear the truth because it hurts their unpopular cause namely to stay out of the European Union forever.

But that scenario is looking increasingly unlikely now. Andy Burnham will surely win this war and take us right back into the heart if the European Union, where this country will gain in influence and prosperity. Instead of being an also-ran, it will be up there with the best and most powerful of them.

This movement will soon become unstoppable. It will, of course, be music to the ears of the nation’s young, progressive, and ambitious. It will enable them to begin to realise their dreams. Bring it on, I say! Ah! Eastward ho! — © Mark Alexander

Should the UK Rejoin the European Union? | BBC Politics Live

October 12. 2026 | The Guardian's Rafael Behr has argued that the choice the UK has is to get closer to Europe or to become "substantially less attractive to investment".

Responding on the BBC's Politics Live, the founder of Britain Unbound, Steve Wright, said: "We have the opportunity to do whatever we want; it is our rulebook now."

Labour MP Anneliese Dodds and Conservative MP Lewis Cocking also joined presenter Vicki Young to discuss the topic.

Russia's Brexit Meddling Proven

Oct 12, 2026 | Russia DID interfere in the 2016 EU referendum, according to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Adrian Goldberg hears from Byline Times editor Peter Jukes who has been making this case for the best part of a decade.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.

Andy Burnham Says It Is Clear Russia Interfered in Brexit Referendum

THE GUARDIAN: PM says he asked question upon entering No 10 but does not reveal who gave him ‘clear answer’ that Russia meddled

Screenshot taken from this Guardian article. | Andy Burnham: ‘We haven’t informed people sufficiently about the extent to which people are seeking to disrupt the political process from overseas.’ Photograph: Christopher Furlong/AFP/Getty Images
Andy Burnham has said it is clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, after seeking answers on the Kremlin’s involvement in the 2016 vote when he entered Downing Street.

Burnham said he had asked whether Moscow had attempted to influence the referendum and received a confirmation that it had.

Speaking on the podcast The Rest is Politics, Burnham said: “I asked the question coming to Downing Street: well, was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? I’ve had the clear answer that yes, there was.”

His comments mark a significant departure from the position taken by past Conservative governments, which insisted there was no evidence of successful interference by Russia in the hugely consequential referendum vote.

Burnham did not disclose who had given him the assessment, what evidence it was based on or whether any interference had affected the result of the vote.

A report by parliament’s intelligence and security committee in 2020 criticised the government and intelligence agencies for failing to properly investigate potential Russian interference in the referendum. » | Aletha Adu Political correspondent | Sunday, October 11, 2026

At last! A prime minister willing and courageous enough to tell us the truth! It was as clear as crystal to the wide-awake that Russia was behind that ridiculous Brexit referendum. What must be done now is simple: Brexit must be reversed. ASAP — © Mark Alexander

« Breturn » : Athènes met les marbres du Parthénon dans la balance avant un rapprochement du Royaume-Uni avec l’Europe

LE FIGARO: Pour le premier ministre grec, qui prendra la présidence de l’Union européenne en 2027, le retour des frises exposées eu British Museum doit être un enjeu des négociations avec Londres, dix ans après le vote du Brexit.

Le premier ministre grec Kyriakos Mitsotakis a déclaré mardi que la question du retour des marbres du Parthénon depuis Londres fera « partie » de tout débat sur un rapprochement entre la Grande-Bretagne et l'Union européenne. « Les sculptures du Parthénon (...) feront partie de ce débat. Ce n'est pas seulement une question pour la Grèce, c'est une question pour l'Europe », a estimé Kyriakos Mitsotakis, lors d'une conférence à Athènes.

Le premier ministre, dont le pays assumera la présidence tournante de l'UE au second semestre 2027, a indiqué qu'il allait « intensifier » la revendication de la Grèce auprès du gouvernement britannique et du British Museum. Des années de discussions avec le musée, qui conserve les frises antiques depuis plus de deux siècles, ce qui entache les relations entre Londres et Athènes, « n'ont pas avancé », a-t-il affirmé. La Grèce soutient que les marbres du Parthénon ont été pillés en 1802 par Thomas Bruce, dit Lord Elgin, alors ambassadeur britannique auprès de l'Empire ottoman. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 6 octobre 2026

Rob Groves: Andy Burnham Just Changed the Brexit Conversation

Oct 3, 2026 | Andy Burnham has done what no prime minister has done in ten years: he's admitted Brexit has done more harm than good, and put full EU membership back on the table. Nigel Farage claims it's the biggest boost of his career. So why do more than half of Reform UK's own voters think Britain has drifted too far from Europe?

In this video, I look at how Burnham has wrong-footed Farage, and then take a hard, honest look at what it would really take to get Britain back into the EU. That covers how warm the welcome from Brussels, Paris and Madrid really is, the barriers in the way, the price of readmission, and a realistic best-case timeline.


Well said. What I want is a full return. Farage must be quaking in his little boots and puffing away like crazy! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

„Willkommen zurück“: Frankreich und Spanien offen für britisches EU-Comeback

Oct 1, 2026 | Der britische Premier Burnham hat Überlegungen zu einer Rückkehr des Landes in die Europäische Union angestoßen. Der französische Präsident Macron nannte die Idee am Mittwoch „eine sehr gute Nachricht, sowohl für ihr Land als auch für die Europäer“.

Mit einem Mix aus „Hoffnung und Ehrlichkeit“ will Burnham die Rechtspopulisten schlagen. Auf dem Labour-Parteitag kündigt er heikle Renten- und Pflegereformen sowie eine EU-Initiative an.

"He Will Come to Regret It" | Andrew Neil and Chris Curtis Clash over Burnham's EU Stance

Oct 1, 2026 | The PM says it's possible Labour's next manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.

Is Britain ready to re-open the issue which ten years ago split the country down the middle?

Journalist Andrew Neil and Labour MP Chris Curtis debate the PM's stance.

Interview by Victoria Derbyshire, with Political Editor Nick Watt.


Andrew Neil is an old fossil now. He is long past his sell-by date. Moreover, it cracks me up that he doesn't want us to return to the EU, denying the British people all those rights as EU citizens. But Andrew Neil himself is well-heeled enough to be able to live the good life in France. Sounds like double standards to me. It also reminds me of the phrase, 'I'm alright, Jack' — © Mark Alexander

Burnham Reopens Brexit Debate: EU Says UK Must Chart Its Own Path on Future Relations • FRANCE 24

Oct 1, 2026 | The EU said Wednesday it was up to London to chart a way forward for Britain's relations with the bloc, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham put the idea of rejoining on the table. Burnham reopened the divisive Brexit debate Wednesday by saying his centre-left Labour government could go "all the way" and propose membership of the bloc, once it has weighed the "pros and cons" of different possible relationships with Europe. For the European perspective, FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Brussels.

No 10 Gathering Evidence on Public Support for UK Rejoining EU

THE GUARDIAN: Senior Downing Street officials reach out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test backing for reversing Brexit

Senior Downing Street officials have been reaching out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test public support for the UK rejoining the EU.

Aides to Andy Burnham have been talking to EU experts in a range of organisations about how the public would view a promise to rejoin, as momentum builds behind including such a pledge in the next Labour manifesto.

Some in No 10 are keen to promise that Labour would at least negotiate over re-entry to the bloc, something Burnham has previously said he wants to see happen “in his lifetime”. Others are nervous, however, that making such a promise could revive the flagging political fortunes of Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader.

Burnham used his first Labour conference speech as leader to announce a review of the options for Britain’s relationship with Europe, and added on Wednesday that these options should include rejoining entirely.

The prime minister told delegates on Tuesday: “Brexit has done more harm than good. So I will take the opportunity around the [UK-EU] summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe are the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners.” » | Kiran Stacey and Lisa O’Carroll | Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Sweden Confirms 458 Britons Deported or Forcibly Removed since Brexit

THE GUARDIAN: Scale of deportations made public for first time amid criticism of hardline approach to UK citizens

Sweden has confirmed 458 British citizens have been deported or forcibly removed by police since Brexit.

It is the first time the scale of the deportations of citizens who failed to secure residency in Sweden post-Brexit has been made public and comes amid mounting criticism of a cruel and hardline approach to Britons who had chosen to make the country their home before Brexit.

Some have been told to go after more than 25 years in the country and even vulnerable elderly people with dementia have been affected. One man was deported even though he had lived in the country since he was 10 years old. » | Lisa O’Carroll | Senior correspondent | Saturday, September 5, 2026

Michael Lambert: Why Andy Burnham Can't Save Britain without Europe

Sep 4, 2026 | Andy Burnham is widely seen as competent and decent - but can he actually turn Britain around without confronting Europe?

In this video I argue that unless Burnham faces up to Brexit, any recovery plan is doomed. From trade deals to growth to living standards, Britain is on a downward trajectory that 30 India deals won't fix.

Camilla Tominey, Ed Conway & Jenny Chapman Debate Andy Burnham's Take on Britain's "Wrong Turns"

Sep 2, 2026 | In his first appearance at the government despatch box in 16 years, Andy Burnham tells MPs he knows what's gone 'wrong' with the country - blaming the economic policies of both Tory and Labour governments since the 1980s, compounded by Brexit. Is he right? And does he have solutions to fix it? The Daily Telegraph's Camilla Tominey, Sky News's Ed Conway and Labour Peer Jenny Chapman join the Newsnight panel to discuss. Interview by Victoria Derbyshire.

Related link here »

Burnham Blames Brexit and Thatcher: Is He Right about Britain’s Problems? | Jeremy Vine

September 2, 2026 | In his first Commons address as Prime Minister, Burnham blamed both for years of low growth, saying Britain needs more substantial change on the economy and cost of living.

Supporters say he has a point. They argue Brexit damaged trade, investment and confidence, while decades of privatisation and underinvestment left Britain with weak growth, poor infrastructure and squeezed public services.

Critics say Burnham is looking backwards. They argue Margaret Thatcher left office more than 35 years ago, Brexit happened a decade ago, and the new Prime Minister now needs to focus on solutions rather than blame.

There is also the question of delivery. With bills, food prices, mortgages and energy costs still putting pressure on households, can Burnham really make people feel better off?

So is Burnham right to blame Brexit and Thatcher, or should he stop pointing to the past and prove he can fix the future?


Distance lends perspective. As a one-time huge fan of Thatcher, I have the following to say…

Margaret Thatcher was the architect of many of our economic problems today. She did some things that were very good; it’s true. But it must also be said that she harmed the British economy as well, especially by selling off so many of this country’s valuable assets. As Harold Macmillan said: Thatcher sold off the family silver. This is his actual quote:

“The sale of assets is common with individuals and states when they run into financial difficulties. …

First of all the Georgian silver goes, and then all that nice furniture that used to be in the saloon. Then the Canalettos go.” — Harold Macmillan, November 8, 1985

At the time, it seemed that she was working miracles with the UK economy, but those apparent miracles turned out to be short-term fixes — short-term dreams, but long-term nightmares.

Further, Thatcher (and her buddy, Reagan, in the States) were the root cause of the huge wealth gap that we have today.

So much for Thatcherism; so much for Reaganomics! — © Mark Alexander

The Brexit Campaign | BBC Newscast

Sep 1, 2026 | Today, we hear what it was like to be inside the leave and remain camps from those who managed the campaigns behind the scenes.

Sir Craig Oliver, who was in charge of communications for the Remain campaign, and chief executive of Vote Leave Matthew Elliott meet for the first time in the Newscast studio.

British Widow, 78, Told to Leave Sweden under Brexit Rules after Living There for 21 Years

THE GUARDIAN: Authorities say application to stay was made too late, as UK officials say Sweden takes ‘stricter approach’ than other EU countries

This screenshot has been taken from this Guardian article. | Joyce Thomas, 78, is now taking the case to a higher court. Photograph: Helena Karlsson/NWT
A 78-year-old British widow who has lived in Sweden for 21 years is fighting deportation from the country after authorities told her a post-Brexit application to stay had been submitted too late.

Her case is the latest of 2,500 British people ordered to leave the country after Brexit in what campaigners and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have said is an inexplicably hardline approach taken by the Swedish authorities. It comes two years after Sweden threatened to deport a British woman with dementia in a care home shortly before she died.

Joyce Thomas, a retired nurse, was given just four weeks to leave Sweden in November, three years after her husband had died, causing huge distress.

After being widowed, Thomas downsized with her dog to an apartment in Hammarö, which is close to her son and grandchildren, and to her husband’s grave.

She said she sometimes felt overwhelmed by the distress of what was happening. » | Lisa O’Carroll | Monday, August 10, 2026

Good God! How bloody cruel can anyone be? To throw out of the country a respectable, elderly lady is an absolute disgrace. Fie on the Swedes! — © Mark Alexander