‘We’re not your enemies’ Andy Burnham tells EU amid commerce coverage fears

Andy Burnham has sounded the alarm over the EU’s Made in Europe policy, which risks locking out UK firms by prioritising EU suppliers in crucial industries like car manufacturing and defence

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Andy Burnham has urged the EU not to make British manufacturers “collateral damage” in its plans to curb the rising influence of China.

The Prime Minister sounded the alarm over the “Made in Europe” policy, which risks locking out UK firms by prioritising EU suppliers in crucial industries including car manufacturing and defence.

Mr Burnham said his message to European leaders was “we are not your enemies” ahead of talks with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen today.

Speaking to reporters as he travelled to the US, Mr Burnham said: “Europe’s argument is not with us. We both suffer the same effects as other countries, particularly steel and the issue it raises for the steel industry in Europe and in Britain.

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“We are making the argument we are not your enemies here. We are not the problem. Made in Europe is dealing with a different problem. We are making the argument that let’s avoid collateral damage.”

The PM said he wanted to carry on Keir Starmer’s efforts to fix the Brexit damages with the EU – and refused to rule out putting rejoining the EU in the next Labour manifesto. “My immediate priority is to build on the good work that Keir did in rebuilding bridges,” he said.

“Because those bridges were broken in the early part of this decade. And Keir did a good job in re-establishing that relationship. And what we have got to do is now go to the next level in terms of reaching practical agreement that will further boost the British economy.”

Pressed on whether reversing Brexit could be on the table at the next election, he said: “The other issues you discuss, they are for another day.”

Mr Burnham is expected to use his speech to the UN General Assembly to rail against the eruption of online misinformation and discord sowed by external forces since the Brexit referendum.

In comments, understood to be referring to Russia, he said: “I’m reflecting on that last decade, what we’ve experienced is when that turbulence comes when outside actors seek to manipulate, to distort facts, influence the British democratic process.”

He said leaders must be clearer in confronting these challenges “where outside forces, our enemies, are trying to manipulate that opinion and feeling to serve their interests, not ours.”