Politics · 11 August 2026
Burnham's new minister wants deeper EU ties, may bend red lines
Photo by Lina Kivaka on Pexels
Andy Burnham's new chief post-Brexit negotiator, Hamish Falconer, wants a "deeper" and "more ambitious relationship" with the EU. He said there's "room to be ambitious" within Labour's existing red lines, which rule out rejoining the single market or customs union. Falconer, a former diplomat, is particularly interested in greater cooperation on services, including visa-free travel and mutual recognition of qualifications.
Reported by Independent · How we write briefs