Farage: Britain will never vote to rejoin EU

Nigel Farage has declared Britain will never "vote to rejoin" the EU, accusing Prime Minister Andy Burnham of holding an "outdated view" of the bloc amid fears of a second referendum. The Reform UK leader warned pressure from Labour's northern heartlands would force Burnham into promising a vote. Farage said leaving in 2016 was "the hard thing to do" and rejoining would be easy to reject, citing costs of £42 billion annually. He claimed Burnham's push for closer ties would divide the country, while EU leaders said they would welcome Britain back, with some noting financial benefits. Reform UK made significant gains in northern local elections, including Sunderland and Wigan, while Labour lost control of Barnsley. Burnham has defended improving EU relations as a "dereliction of duty" not to, citing economic growth and immigration benefits, and plans an EU summit next month.