Our 5 Asks for Andy Burnham

1. Drop Labour's red lines on Europe

The Government's self-imposed red lines on our relationship with Europe have become barriers to the UK's prosperity and security. The relationship with Europe has stabilised and improved, but the red lines don't make sense in today's world.

To deliver the economic growth that the Government has promised, and to give businesses confidence, the new Government must commit to removing the arbitrary and self-imposed restrictions on the UK joining the European single market and customs union.

2. Put a route to EU membership in Labour's next manifesto

The new Government must stop tinkering around the edges of our relationship with Europe and commit that the next Labour Party manifesto will include a clear pathway for closer European integration, including the option of opening accession negotiations for the UK as a member state.

This is about recognising that the UK's long-term future will always belong in Europe and giving the public an honest, democratic choice.

3. Cement the UK's place in Europe with a bold programme of integration before the end of 2026

Go beyond simply resetting relations and agree a comprehensive integrated strategy for rebuilding the UK's place in Europe by the end of 2026.

The UK is back in Erasmus+, and progress on an SPS agreement is being made.

Now, for the sake of both sides, the UK and EU need to finalise the Youth Mobility Scheme, agree a mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and negotiate a solution to the obstacles facing cultural and creative professionals.

For our shared prosperity and security, we also need to secure deeper defence and security integration, to link our Emissions Trading Systems, cooperate on energy procurement and price controls, and, ultimately, to deliver a roadmap towards the UK's single market participation.

4. Make the UK Europe's closest security partner

This must not wait. Deepen defence cooperation, participate fully in European defence programmes (such as SAFE), align foreign policy where appropriate, and make the UK central to Europe's shared security architecture.

5. Launch a national conversation on the UK's European future

Every problem this country faces is exacerbated by our untimely exit from the EU.

We must be clear about the root causes of our problems and address them head-on. We must have the big discussions on topics such as freedom of movement, economic alignment with our neighbours in Europe, defence cooperation too, and about the integration of our combined efforts to tackle climate issues.

Europe is integral to who we are and what we want to be as a country. We must respect and appreciate this.