Andy Burnham vows British public will be 'boss' in post-Brexit EU relationship talks

Andy Burnham vows British public will be 'boss' in post-Brexit EU relationship talks It came as the Prime Minister announced on Monday a delayed UK-EU summit - a chance to push for a better post-Brexit trading agreement - will take place on November 20 Andy Burnham has promised the British public will be the "boss" in any talks with the European Union about a future relationship. It came as the Prime Minister announced on Monday a delayed UK-EU summit - a chance to push for a better post-Brexit trading agreement - will take place on November 20. He said after the summit in Brussels next month, there should be "a serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long-term". Mr Burnham said: "At every stage, the British public will be the boss, and I am clear that public opinion currently supports a pragmatic approach like the one I am suggesting." The Prime Minister told MPs, however, he would stand by Labour's 2024 manifesto red lines on Brexit not to rejoin the bloc's single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. It means any major change to the UK-EU relationship is unlikely before the next general election - currently scheduled for 2029. But ahead of the UK-EU summit next month, the PM made clear he would push for agreement on a number of areas. The two sides are expected to sign a new food and drink agreement, a youth mobility scheme and a pact on emissions trading which the Prime Minister hopes could provide a £10 billion boost to the economy. “The summit will also be an opportunity to raise our concerns about Made in Europe and it is clear to me that there is an opportunity to make progress in all of these areas,” he said. "Together, these deals will add the equivalent of over £10 billion per year to the UK economy by 2040, with the potential to add significantly more.” Mr Burnham added: “If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have. Sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain. "Worse, it would be a major dereliction of duty to turn away. We need to take a calm, clear-eyed, rational look at the world as it is today to consider what is best for our country." The UK-EU summit had been due to take place over the summer, but was delayed due to Keir Starmer's resignation from Downing Street. As the summit was announced on Monday, António Costa, the European Council President, said: "The European Union and the United Kingdom are like-minded partners, united by common values and shared interests. "Our security and prosperity are closely intertwined, making a strong partnership between us essential. By deepening our cooperation, we can strengthen our ability to address the challenges of our time, strengthen our resilience and promote stability in Europe and beyond."