Macron Welcomes UK Return to EU Debate
French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s suggestion that Britain could eventually rejoin the European Union, saying such a move would be good news for both the UK and Europe.
Macron Says “Welcome Back” to Britain
Speaking at a news conference in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Macron responded to Burnham’s comments by saying in English, “Welcome back.”
He added that if Britain wanted to return to the European Union and the UK government moved in that direction, France would view it positively.
Macron also said the UK had historically been a demanding but useful member of the bloc and argued that closer integration would benefit both sides.
Andy Burnham Floats UK Return to EU
Burnham, who became prime minister in July after replacing Keir Starmer, said in an interview that rejoining the European Union was among the options Britain should consider when reassessing its long-term relationship with Europe.
His remarks followed comments at the Labour Party conference, where he said the government would set out different options for future UK-EU ties ahead of a planned summit with the bloc later this year.
Brexit Debate Returns to UK Politics
Macron cautioned that Britain could not seek the benefits of EU membership while remaining outside the bloc, arguing that participation would require accepting the wider obligations attached to membership.
Sanchez also welcomed the prospect of a future British return, describing Brexit as damaging for both Britain and the wider European project.
The comments mark a significant shift in the post-Brexit debate as the UK government reassesses the country’s relationship with the European Union.
