UK’s Burnham says rejecting closer EU ties a ‘dereliction of duty’

LONDON — Andy Burnham will argue Monday it would be a “dereliction of duty” for Britain not to seek closer ties with the EU. In a House of Commons statement reopening Britain's highly-charged Brexit debate, the prime minister will claim the vast majority of the public would back a closer relationship with the EU if it helps to control immigration and boost economic growth, according to a U.K. official briefed on the statement. “Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be,” said the U.K. official, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.