Andy Burnham defends Brexit red lines as EU floats youth mobility deal

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told MPs he is not reopening the Brexit referendum and will not revisit Labour's red lines, while seeking a more pragmatic relationship with the European Union.

In a Commons statement, Mr Burnham said he respected the 2016 result and stood by his past commitment not to seek EU membership without a general election and a referendum first. He said: "I am not reopening the referendum, I respect the referendum results ... but what I will do is take a pragmatic approach when I can boost growth in the British economy, when I can increase cooperation to get a grip on the boat crossings across the channel."

He argued that the Brexit deal inherited from the previous government offered a chance to secure progress on growth and migration. He said it would be a dereliction of duty to turn away from the possibility of supporting the food industry and farmers.

The government is preparing for a UK-EU summit next month. Mr Burnham said he wants a new deal that would increase growth and tackle illegal immigration, and then a serious dialogue about different options for the long-term relationship. He said the British public would be the boss at every stage.

Opposition parties pressed him on the limits of his approach. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of trying to unpick the Brexit deal and said he would not get anything better from the EU. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called on him to drop Labour's red lines and open negotiations on joining the single market and customs union. Mr Burnham refused, saying he was not prepared to revisit the red lines in Labour's manifesto.

The prime minister also faced controversy over comments about Russian interference. In a podcast interview, he said he had received a clear answer that there had been interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia. He later clarified that he still considered the result legitimate. Boris Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner, called him a liar and said that when he became foreign secretary he was told there had been no Russian interference in the referendum campaign. Mr Burnham pointed to a new National Centre for Information Defence to protect future votes.

Beyond Westminster, reports said the EU is working on a youth mobility scheme that would let British under-30s take paid jobs in Europe. Brussels could back down on tuition fee demands and young people's work visas to get an updated Brexit deal over the line. Critics said the plan could create another migration route and put British young people in competition for jobs. Supporters said it would help young people and had public backing.

There was also mixed public reaction. In Birmingham, which narrowly voted Leave, some residents said the 2016 vote should be respected, while others said people had voted on failed promises and now regretted it. The Czech leader was reported to have said Britain should return to the EU because the bloc needs money.

Mr Burnham's statement means the Brexit debate is back at the centre of Westminster politics, even though he insists he is not reopening the referendum itself. The immediate focus is the November summit and what practical changes can be agreed on trade, food and farming, youth mobility and border cooperation.