Sadiq Khan told Labour delegates in Liverpool that Prime Minister Andy Burnham should begin planning now for a possible return to the European Union, arguing that the case must be made well before an election. The conference also focused on funding a National Care Service, possible tax changes, and the future of the triple lock on pensions. Speakers ranged from Ed Miliband, who advocated closer ties with Europe, to trade union leaders warning against reversing Brexit; fringe events debated AI, privacy and national security.
Sadiq Khan Urges Andy Burnham To Begin Preparations Now To Rejoin The EU
Lord Khan has said the Prime Minister should do the 'heavy lifting' on reentering the EU as soon as possible - Getty Images for Concordia Summit/Riccardo Savi
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to begin the groundwork for rejoining the European Union immediately, arguing that the case must be made well before any election campaign. Speaking to the i newspaper at Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, Khan warned that re-entry cannot be treated as a last-minute manifesto pledge.
Lucy Powell claimed she led the Department for Education as a 'Department for Hope' - Heathcliff O'Malley
"Start The Work Now," Khan Says
"We've got to start the work now… You can't, a week before a general election, pull out of a hat this rabbit of a manifesto and say we're going to rejoin in six weeks' time," Khan said. He called for early, sustained public engagement to explain "the disbenefits of being outside the European Union and the benefits of being part of this family." He urged a faster timetable than the conditional, decade-long roadmap recently proposed by former prime minister Tony Blair.
Marie-France van Heel visiting stands at Labour's annual conference - Heathcliff O'Malley
Conference Highlights And Reactions
The call to prepare for EU membership came amid a wide-ranging day of speeches and fringe events. Key domestic topics included plans for a National Care Service, potential tax rises to pay for reforms, and debate over the triple lock on pensions — with some ministers and former cabinet figures saying trade-offs will be inevitable.
Andy Burnham: 'I don't think you get the welfare bill down on a sustainable basis if it's crude cuts'
Deputy leader Lucy Powell launched a forceful attack on Nigel Farage's politics, while First Secretary Louise Haigh warned against becoming "in hock to foreign giants" when deploying AI in public services, an apparent reference to concerns about large foreign tech firms. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting praised emergency services after an incident at RAF Fairford, and Unite general secretary Sharon Graham cautioned Labour not to attempt to "undo the Brexit vote," urging sensitivity to the referendum result.
Fringe Events And Expert Views
Speakers at fringe events expanded the debate: Ed Miliband said a deeper relationship with the EU aligns with Labour's values; Stella Creasy argued Brexit had harmed national security and the economy; and polling expert Sir John Curtice warned Labour was not in a position to call an early election despite recent polling leads. Other sessions addressed privacy and social media, AI and the future of work, Heathrow expansion, and protests related to Palestine Action.
Policy Announcements And Party Business
Ministers also announced practical measures: Louise Haigh confirmed plans to commission a new UK-built marine research vessel as part of defence and industrial priorities, while senior figures debated migration, welfare reform and defence procurement. Conference organisers and delegates continued to discuss how quickly and how publicly Labour should pursue closer ties with Europe while balancing domestic priorities and union concerns.
Bottom Line: Khan urged early, sustained engagement on EU re-entry so the public debate is settled well ahead of any election; the conference showed strong support for major domestic reforms but also highlighted deep divisions over timing, priorities and how to respect the Brexit referendum result.
Help us improve.
