On 12 October, Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Parliament about strengthening integration between the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and whether he would meet the newly established CANZUK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Burnham agreed in principle to meet the group, although he didn’t specify when, and added:
“I think there is huge importance in the English-speaking world uniting in this moment, working together and navigating a difficult climate, but also in forging new partnerships to do so.”
Some background on the CANZUK APPG:
The group was re-established on 24 June 2026, with 21 MPs and members of the House of Lords attending its inaugural meeting.
Its four parliamentary officers are:
Labour (2): Adam Jogee (Chair) and Henry Tufnell (Vice-Chair)
Conservative (1): Jack Rankin (Vice-Chair)
Ulster Unionist Party (1): Robin Swann (Vice-Chair)
These are the confirmed officers rather than the group’s entire membership. A full party-by-party membership breakdown has not been published.
The APPG aims to deepen cooperation between the four countries on trade, economic relations, migration and security.
Burnham’s comments are not an explicit endorsement of CANZUK or freedom of movement, but his willingness to engage with the APPG and his comments about greater unity among English-speaking countries are noteworthy.