From Brexit to 'Brejoin'? The UK and the EU
From Brexit to 'Brejoin'? The UK and the EU
Introduction
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From Brexit to 'Brejoin'? The UK and the EU
Description: Andy Burnham has reopened the Brexit debate, saying a new EU referendum is "possible". In this short News Focus lesson, students explore the options, from a customs union to rejoining, and debate whether a big democratic decision should ever be revisited.
Tags: brexit, brejoin, european union, rejoin eu, andy burnham, referendum, customs union, nigel farage, uk politics, democracy, citizenship, current affairs, news focus
Sources: BBC News, 29 and 30 September 2026; The Guardian, 30 September and 1 October 2026. Image credit: Oskar Młodziński / Unsplash
Yes
No
A little
Have you seen or heard this news yet?
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Enter your question here
How do you feel about this news?
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By the end of this lesson you can...
Understand what Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said about the UK's future relationship with the EU.
Evaluate the arguments for and against reopening the Brexit debate a decade after the referendum.
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Key Info
What?
PM Andy Burnham says Brexit "has done more harm than good" and will review the UK's options with the EU.
Where?
Labour's conference in Liverpool, then a BBC interview; options will be set out at a UK-EU summit later this year.
Who?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, rival party leaders including Nigel Farage and Ed Davey, and EU leaders like Macron.
Image credit: Christian Lue / Unsplash Image credit: Amir Arsalan Shamsabadi / Unsplash Image credit: John Cameron / Unsplash
Background
In 2016, the UK voted 52% to 48% to leave the EU. Now Burnham says options range from staying as we are to joining a customs union or even rejoining.
He says a new referendum is "possible" in Labour's next manifesto, though he had promised in May not to re-run Brexit arguments.
Some polls suggest most people now favour rejoining.
The "most people" polling claim refers to polls showing as much as 59% support for rejoining, reported by the Guardian (1 October 2026). Image credit: Pascal Bullan / Unsplash
Remain
Leave
Not sure
If the Brexit referendum were held today, how would you vote?
In 2016 the result was 52% Leave and 48% Remain. Compare the class result with that once everyone has voted.
Explain your vote. What might change your mind?
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The Big Controversy
Supporters: Brexit has hurt growth and trade, and voters should be allowed to think again a decade on.
Critics: Burnham is reopening "old wounds" and ignoring a democratic vote. Nigel Farage calls it "the biggest boost" of his career.
And: rejoining might come on different terms from before, as the UK would be treated as a new applicant.
Should a big democratic decision ever be reversed, and if so, how long should a country wait before asking again?
Reveal the question with a click and give pairs a minute to pick a side before the poll. Image credit: Paul Fiedler / Unsplash
Yes, soon
Yes, but not yet
No, Brexit is decided
Unsure
Should there be a new referendum on rejoining the EU?
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Explain your answer from the poll
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What could rejoining the EU, or staying out, mean for young people like you?
Points to look for: the freedom to study, work or live in EU countries; travel and border queues; prices and jobs; who makes the UK's laws; control over immigration.
Key Concepts
Brexit — the UK's exit from the European Union, decided by a referendum in 2016 and completed in January 2020.
Referendum — a public vote on a single question, such as whether to stay in or leave the EU.
Customs union — an agreement where countries trade without tariffs between them and charge the same tariffs on goods from outside.
Manifesto — a document setting out what a political party promises to do if it wins an election.
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What question do you have about this news?
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News Focus lessons - short lessons on current events
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