UK chancellor Healey does not expect Britain to rejoin EU
Chancellor John Healey said he does not expect to see Britain rejoin the European Union in his lifetime. His remark cuts across Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said this week he would like to see it happen.
Healey made the remark in an interview with Channel 4. Asked whether he agreed that the UK should rejoin the EU in his lifetime, he said he did not expect it. Reports said Burnham had told Cabinet ministers to follow collective responsibility on the UK's future relationship with Europe.
Burnham has said he wants the UK to rejoin in his lifetime. He also said: "I'm not going to move ahead of the public." Some accusers claim he is gagging Eurosceptic frontbenchers. One report said 13 Cabinet ministers opposed rejoining, but it did not name its source.
Critics also accused Healey of raiding contingency funds to meet military commitments. A senior Labour MP said he is kicking security "into the long grass".
Key facts
- Who
- John Healey (UK chancellor); Andy Burnham (Prime Minister)
- What
- Chancellor John Healey said he does not expect Britain to rejoin the EU in his lifetime, which the article describes as undermining Prime Minister Andy Burnham's earlier remark that he would like to see it happen. Healey was also reportedly criticised for raiding contingency funds to meet military commitments.
- When
- 30 October 2026
- Where
- Britain, EU, UK
- Status
- Reported