Burnham to urge MPs to back closer ties with EU – what he will say

• Prime minister Andy Burnham will urge MPs to support closer ties with the EU when parliament returns on Monday, describing sticking with the status quo as a dereliction of duty.
• The address coincides with a parliamentary debate on a petition calling for the United Kingdom to apply to rejoin the European Union.
• Andy Burnham has previously stated that Brexit has done more harm than good and suggested that options for rejoining the bloc could feature in Labour's next election manifesto.
• Recent polling shows nearly three-quarters of Labour voters support including talks to rejoin the EU in the party's next manifesto.
• EU leaders and former officials have warned that the UK would not be offered special terms, rebates, or exemptions if it chose to rejoin the bloc.

IN FULL

‘Dereliction of duty’ not to seek closer ties with EU, Andy Burnham to tells MPs