'WE'VE HAD A DECADE OF BREXIT' Burnham Signals Major Shift as Germany Demands Closer EU Ties

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled a potentially major shake-up in Britain's relationship with the European Union, declaring that 'THE TIME HAS COME' to rethink the country's economic future after a decade of Brexit.

In a striking exchange during high-level talks in Berlin on Thursday, October 8, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz openly pledged to bring Britain closer to the EU, raising fresh questions about the future of Brexit and whether the UK could move towards deeper integration with Brussels.

Speaking alongside the German Chancellor, Burnham argued that Britain must seriously reconsider its relationship with Europe, insisting that closer cooperation could unlock economic growth, investment and jobs across the country.

The Prime Minister declared that Britain had experienced a decade of Brexit and suggested the time had come to explore a different approach, confirming that his government was open to discussing all options while taking British public opinion into account.

Merz welcomed Burnham's approach and promised Germany would do everything possible to bring the UK closer to the European Union, in one of the clearest expressions of support for stronger UK-EU ties from a major European leader.

The comments are likely to reignite Britain's bitter Brexit debate, with fresh questions over how far the government could go in rebuilding ties with Brussels and whether closer economic integration could eventually lead to a more fundamental change in the UK's relationship with the EU.

The dramatic intervention came as the two leaders formally completed the ratification of the Kensington Treaty, marking a significant step in UK-German relations.

The agreement is intended to deepen cooperation on defence, national security, economic growth, artificial intelligence, space technology and industrial development.

Burnham also revealed that he had invited Germany to consider joining the next-generation fighter aircraft programme involving Britain, Italy and Japan, potentially strengthening European defence cooperation and creating new opportunities for British industry.

The Prime Minister stressed that closer ties with Germany and Europe could help deliver economic growth across every region of the United Kingdom, rather than concentrating prosperity in a handful of major cities.

With another UK-EU summit expected before the end of the year, the Berlin talks have intensified scrutiny of Burnham's post-Brexit strategy and the direction he intends to take Britain.

While no decision has been announced for the UK to rejoin the European Union, the Prime Minister's willingness to examine closer economic ties has reopened one of the most divisive questions in modern British politics.

Watch as Andy Burnham and Friedrich Merz discuss Britain's future relationship with Europe, the economic consequences of Brexit and the possibility of a new era of cooperation between the UK, Germany and the European Union.