Stories
Macron Welcomes UK PM Burnham's EU Rejoining Discussion: 'Welcome Back'
F
Firstpost•30-09-2026, 22:11
Macron Welcomes UK PM Burnham's EU Rejoining Discussion: 'Welcome Back'
- •French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's openness to discussing Britain rejoining the European Union, stating the UK would be welcomed back.
- •Burnham indicated that rejoining the EU is one of several options his government is considering for Britain's long-term relationship with the bloc.
- •Macron praised Burnham's "boldness" in reopening the discussion but cautioned that a closer relationship would have limits if the UK remained outside the EU.
- •Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also welcomed the possibility, calling Brexit a major loss and expressing Spain's readiness to welcome the UK back.
- •The European Commission stated that the next move is up to the British government, with spokesman Balazs Ujvari confirming the EU is open to discussing options London presents.
Key Questions Answered
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's remarks during a news conference in Madrid, stating "Welcome back" and expressing that Britain would be welcomed back if it chose to return to the European Union.
Burnham's recent comments marking rejoining the EU as an option represent a significant shift from the Labour Party's 2024 election manifesto, which had previously ruled out rejoining the EU, its customs union, or its single market.
The European Commission stated that the next move must come from the British government, emphasizing that it is up to the UK to set out how it wishes to develop its relationship with the EU, while remaining open to discussing London's proposals.
