Getting closer to the EU is a sop to Burnham’s socialist backbenchers

Andy Burnham wants to undo Brexit because he s given on the supply side reforms Britain needs for growth, says Joseph Dinnage October is always grim. The temperature drops, the rain begins and the darkness sets in. This month is poised to be even drearier than usual. In a week s time, we ll have John Healey s first Budget. Healey will struggle to make up the difference. Cue  tax rises. Expected announcements include higher taxes on banks, online retailers and a fuel duty hike. The government has given up on a domestic growth strategy. Supply-side reform and trimming the state are nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that explains its infatuation with the European Union.   It came as no shock to anyone when in his keynote address at the annual Labour Party conference, Andy Burnham set out his plan for closer relations with the bloc. The Prime Minister asserted that we need to move past the Brexit status quo and seriously reexamine our place in Europe to stimulate economic growth