Brexit has done more harm than good,” said Andy Burnham at the Labour Party Conference, last month.
This statement should ring true for millions of students nationwide. From a sharp decline in study abroad opportunities, to the loss of freedom of movement for graduates, Brexit has failed students.
What options does the Prime Minister have regarding the future of the EU-UK relationship? The first would be to maintain the status quo with the current trade deal between the EU and the UK.
The second would be to pursue entry into the Single Market (a free trade zone for EU members). Finally, should Burnham go ‘all the way’ and add a second referendum into Labour’s 2029 manifesto? Staying as we are means very little for students.
For Burnham it would certainly be the path of least resistance, and would avoid opening old wounds that surrounded the divisive Brexit debate. For a country in desperate need for unity, perhaps maintaining the status quo with Europe is what the country needs.
However, this would be a disappointing outcome for many students. The European job market remains largely closed off for British graduates, now requiring complicated visa applications or an EU citizenship to access. The upcoming ETIAS system (a pre-travel screening system) would introduce new fees for students looking to travel abroad.
While the return of the Erasmus+ programme is welcomed, students over the past five years have missed out on opportunities to study abroad. While this remains Burnham’s simplest option, for students it would just maintain the post-Brexit barriers.Another option for Burnham, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats, would be to re-enter the Single Market.
This would give the UK access to the EU’s €17-18 trillion internal market, honouring the four freedoms of goods, services, capital, and people. These are the core values underpinning the Single Market which members must maintain.
For Burnham it would be a divisive option, with Richard Tice already accusing him of trying to enter "Brussels via the backdoor".
For students, it would improve mobility and employment opportunities within the EU. It would also allow for greater cooperation over research between British and European academic institutions.
While certainly beneficial for students, reentering the Single Market could be a waste of precious political capital for Burnham, especially if he pursues such a policy without the mandate of a referendum. Rejoining the EU would be the most controversial and challenging option for Burnham.
Claiming that an in-out referendum was "possible" in a future Labour manifesto, European leaders welcomed the possibility of the UK’s return. A poll published by YouGov on the 30th September saw 59% of Brits support rejoining, with 32% opposing.
Despite this, Burnham would be required to win the 2029 General Election, win a referendum, and then negotiate a new deal with the EU to re-enter.
For students, it would allow full participation in the EU’s democratic and policy making process, as a new generation obtains EU citizenships. However, it could lead to greater competition for competitive graduate and entry level job opportunities.
Rejoining the EU would extend the right to live and work freely in the UK to EU citizens. While rejoining the EU remains possible, the practical challenges surrounding it would likely lead to it being shelved in favour of greater cooperation with the EU from the outside.
Overall, Burnham’s options on the EU puts him at a crossroads. Maintaining the status quo might be the easiest option, but would be disappointing for British students.
Rejoining the Single Market would be a great opportunity for students as many of the benefits of EU membership would return. However, without the mandate of a referendum, Burnham will face accusations of rejoining the EU by the ‘backdoor’.
Rejoining fully remains a challenge, with lengthy negotiations potentially taking years while dividing the country. While this might be true, is Burnham politically adept enough to undo the harms of Brexit?