Badenoch and Burnham Clash at PMQs Over Upcoming UK-EU Summit and Freedom of Movement

London – Prime Minister Andrew Burnham and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch locked horns during a testy session of Prime Minister’s Questions on this week, clashing over the government's approach to Europe, freedom of movement, and the upcoming UK-EU summit.

The sparring began immediately with Mrs. Badenoch pressing the prime minister to clarify whether he intends to hold a referendum on rejoining the European Union, accusing him of opening a debate on freedom of movement during the chancellor’s crucial budget week.

"The Prime Minister popped up on telly, opened his mouth without engaging his brain, and not for the first time", Mrs. Badenoch told the House. "Can he explain why he decided during budget week, to re-open a debate on freedom of movement?"

Mr. Burnham strongly defended his position, pointing to the upcoming UK-EU summit just three weeks away as a vital opportunity to rectify what he termed a, "harder Brexit", negotiated by the previous conservative administration—one he argued was, "bad for growth and bad for control of immigration".

"There is no confusion at all", Mr. Burnham retorted. "The government has a collectively agreed position... The red lines in our manifesto, including on freedom of movement, will stay in place firmly for the whole of this parliament".

However, the prime minister argued that his administration was focused on securing a better deal for Britain—one that would back farmers, remove red tape, protect the car and steel industries, and allow for, "better coordination on migration".

"The Tory party used to stand for these things. If they still do, will she back Britain’s negotiating position as we go into that summit?" Mr. Burnham asked.

The exchange quickly devolved into a back-and-forth over past statements and who truly respects the 2016 referendum result. Mrs. Badenoch highlighted that even cabinet ministers and backbenchers—to whom she called for a, "show of hands"—were allegedly opposed to re-visiting free movement, and quoted past remarks by Mr. Burnham warning against re-running old arguments.

Mr. Burnham fired back by highlighting past admissions from Mrs. Badenoch regarding the Conservative Party's handling of Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU without an effective plan for growth or migration control had led to, "low growth and migration out of control".

As the session drew to a close, Mrs. Badenoch gave the prime minister, "one last chance", to rule out any future referendums on the EU or the single market.

Mr. Burnham re-iterated that the manifesto's red lines remain firmly in place, noting that major business groups—including the CBI, the Federation of Small Business, and leading high street retailers—are backing the government's push for a more pragmatic trade arrangement.

"Why doesn’t she join with us... and send a strong message that Britain is calling for a better Brexit deal so that we can get growth going again?" Mr. Burnham asked.