Nigel Farage has accused Andy Burnham of making a “very big political mistake” by reopening debate about Britain’s future relationship with the European Union.
The Reform UK leader said Mr Burnham had “opened the door to Reform in the most extraordinary way” after promising to set out options for the country’s ties to Brussels around the time of a UK-EU summit later this year.
Speaking at a rally in Doncaster on Thursday, Mr Farage said considering a return to the single market, the customs union or the European Union itself was incompatible with devolution.
“This is the pro-devolution prime minister,” he told reporters. “To even consider rejoining the single market, the customs union, let alone the European Union itself, is the opposite of devolution.”
Mr Farage said closer integration would involve transferring powers to an authority that Parliament could not change. He also argued that public support for rejoining the bloc could change once people understood the costs and other implications.
“Here in Doncaster and across the north of England, I think what he’s done is open the door to Reform in the most extraordinary way,” Mr Farage told Sky News.
He added: “If Andy Burnham, the king of the north, wants a fight in Doncaster… with me on rejoining the EU, then bring it on.”
Mr Burnham later acknowledged that the options could include going “all the way” and rejoining the bloc if that was what public opinion supported. He did not rule out including a pledge to rejoin in Labour’s next election manifesto.
Mr Farage said a second referendum would divide the country.
The Reform UK leader also discussed proposals to change the UK’s electoral system. Mr Burnham announced that a national commission would investigate overhauling the first-past-the-post system.
Mr Farage said he supported “a degree of proportionality”, arguing that it could give significant minority views a voice in Parliament, but said electoral reform was not a priority. He said changing the voting system would take years and that politicians should focus on issues including migrant boat arrivals and borrowing costs.
He also criticised Mr Burnham’s proposal to adjust the state pension triple lock to help pay for social care, saying pensioners were the “wrong target”.
Reform UK is facing questions about its finances and is under criminal investigation following allegations that the party breached donation rules concerning foreign funding. An undercover Channel 4 report showed senior party figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.
Mr Farage said an internal investigation had been completed and would be published soon. He also threatened media outlets with legal challenges.
