In a statement to MPs, Burnham said Britain must take a 'clear-eyed rational look' at its long-term relationship with the EU to boost economic growth and control immigration, going beyond Labour's existing red lines. He described it as a 'major dereliction of duty' to turn away from exploring closer ties.
One EU diplomat said the three issues under discussion were 'significant but modest' and needed to be approved as a test of the UK's good faith so that both sides could proceed with the 'real reset' in the longer-term relationship.
However, the UK is braced for a possible row over protectionist 'Made in Europe' trade rules, with industry fears they could lock out UK manufacturers. Burnham pledged to raise concerns with his EU counterparts.
The prime minister also clarified comments made over the weekend about Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum, saying he did not think it had affected the final result after his remarks raised questions about the legitimacy of the outcome. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of being too loose with his language.
Burnham said he hoped all sides of the House would support the government's efforts to 'land a positive outcome' at the summit.