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Unbound Briefing Room – W/C 19 October 2026

Labour's Great Grimsby & Cleethorpes MP thinks differently to PM Burnham

Labour MP Melani Onn, has publicly disagreed with Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the possibility of including a commitment for the UK to join the European Union in the Labour Party manifesto at the next general election.

Speaking on Sunday's BBC Look North political show the Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP said, "I don't think we should have another referendum.

"We had a referendum and, at the time, I said we would still be talking about in 10 years - and here we are.

"It was so incredibly painful and so divisive and I think we are in a position of strength now when it comes to our negotiations with the EU - and we should capitalise on that."

The full report from the BBC website can be read hear: 'Labour MP decries talk of fresh Brexit referendum'

Melanie Onn's statement follows a number of Labour activists and politicians speaking out against the so-called EU "reset" or any prospect of the UK giving away sovereign decision making and paying £35bn every year by joining the undemocratic EU.

Labour dissent against resisting EU membership grows...

The Daily Telegraph has reported today, 19 October, of growing dissent within Labour MPs over the prime minister's plans to reopen the debate about UK membership of the European Union.

In 'Burnham faces Red Wall revolt over Brexit reversal' Dominic Penna, senior political correspondent, reports on the comments of Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool, who told the Telegraph, "“We cannot keep holding referendums every few years, playing a sort of Brexit Hokey Cokey. The British people made their decision. That question is settled, and it’s time to move forward. Rather than reopening old arguments, we should concentrate on securing a better relationship that delivers growth, jobs and opportunities for Britain."

Penna also reports David Smith, MP for North Northumberland as saying, “Of course we should be looking to build a deeper relationship with our European partners again. And it should be up to the country if there were to be any substantial structural change in our relationship. But this shouldn’t include a return to EU membership or freedom of movement. As someone who voted Remain and campaigned for it in the North East, I believe we have to accept that the democratic decision of the country in the Brexit referendum was a generational one.”

You can read the full article here. Following Melanie Onn's comments reported above, and now the latest Telegraph report, the media cannot say it is not fully aware of growing pushback against the Prime Minister's plans on reopening the Brexit debate.

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Britain Unbound Team
Britain Unbound Team
Oct 19, 2026

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