Debates between Andy Burnham and Saqib Bhatti during the 2024 Parliament

International Update

Debate between Andy Burnham and Saqib Bhatti
Monday 12th October 2026

(2 days, 5 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andy Burnham Portrait The Prime Minister
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If we get to a deal and it does not do all the things that my hon. Friend just mentioned, it will not be the right deal. I know that I will be in a stronger position the more that people in all parties in the House get behind what I am saying. That will put Britain in the strongest place to negotiate a deal. That would be a good negotiating strategy, and maybe the Opposition will consider it.

Saqib Bhatti Portrait Saqib Bhatti (Meriden and Solihull East) (Con)
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The whole House will have noted that when the Prime Minister was asked about freedom of movement, he evaded the question. May I ask him directly—it is a simple yes or no—to say that in any future negotiation on rejoining the EU, freedom of movement will not be on the table?

Andy Burnham Portrait The Prime Minister
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The hon. Gentleman is getting way ahead of himself. There is no proposal for a referendum; there is no deal on the table. All I have said is that, as we go towards this negotiation, it makes sense to consider also our longer-term options, because it helps our European partners if they know where Britain wants to go in the future. That is all that is being said at this moment in time.