ANDY Burnham provoked anger after declaring Britain is a rule-taker from Brussels ahead of a key UK-EU summit this month.
is expected to sign a deal with the bloc which includes accepting rules on food production standards.
It comes as backed closer ties with the to boost growth.
When asked by the if he would push for a stronger ties even if it meant being a rule-taker, the PM said: “Well, that’s where we’ve ended up, but it is about working in partnership where we can.”
It’s also expected that the UK will pay Brussels billions of pounds to avoid a cross-border
A deal on youth mobility is also under discussion.
Meanwhile, Mr Bailey also told the BBC that more open trade will help boost growth.
He said: “For over a decade now I’ve been clear that, as a public official, I do not take a position on .
“Having said that, the broader question is: would the UK being able to trade more openly with its nearest neighbours, to have that trade, to have that market openness, be beneficial for growth in the UK?
“My view is yes, it would.”
But Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Mike Wood said: “We don’t need to reopen the arguments of the past.
“We need to focus on the future and how we can use the powers we already have at our disposal to deliver the economic growth, investment and opportunities that Britain desperately needs.
“We need to grip the structural issues facing our like our rocketing energy costs, and mountains of red tape.
“Re-joining the EU will not make any of this better.”
