One of the architects of Keir Stamer’s Brexit red lines has called for Andy Burnham to abandon them at the next election, saying a new relationship with the EU would protect the UK from global threats.

The call is the latest voice from a prominent figure in Starmer’s administration for a faster transition to a far closer European relationship, after the former chancellor Rachel Reeves said it was right for Burnham to consider rejoining .

Chris Ward, one of Starmer’s closest confidants in politics and one of the ministers who worked on the EU reset, said that it was the security relationship that meant a change was now imperative.

The Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven said it was now time to give a “a dignified retirement” to the red lines, which rule out rejoining the EU, the single market, the customs union and restoring freedom of movement .

Ward also suggested there was little compelling argument for rejoining the single market without full EU membership, saying he had “never understood…