David Cameron Warns PM Andy Burnham Against Seeking to Rejoin the EU

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly warned Andy Burnham, the current UK Prime Minister, against pursuing membership in the European Union, saying that reopening the question would trigger a "very long and painful" debate with an uncertain outcome. Speaking in a Bloomberg interview, Cameron urged Burnham to focus instead on building the strongest possible partnership with the EU as an outside partner, rather than signaling any path toward rejoining.

Cameron, who led the Remain campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum and was deeply disappointed by its outcome, said he nonetheless accepts the democratic result and believes the UK should aim to be the EU's "best friend, best neighbour, best partner." He explicitly said Britain should not enter a customs union with the EU, pushing back on a policy option that has been floated in post-Brexit discussions.

The former prime minister also argued that floating the idea of rejoining would strategically undermine the UK's negotiating position, warning that EU member states would have little incentive to offer a strong partnership deal if they believed Britain might eventually come back as a full member. Cameron said Britain's current economic difficulties, including excessive spending, borrowing, taxation, regulation, and welfare costs, have nothing to do with Brexit and should be addressed on their own terms rather than through a renewed Europe debate.