The French finance minister has invited the UK to “come all the way back” to the European Union after Andy Burnham raised the possibility of a new referendum to reverse Brexit. Roland Lescure made the comments after the prime minister used his Labour conference speech to promise that the government would explore closer ties with the bloc at a summit later this year. In later interviews, he explained just how far-reaching his consideration of Britain’s future with Brussels could be, since Brexit had caused “more harm than good.”
Could the UK really rejoin the EU? Read more.
When asked about Burnham’s comments, Lescure told the BBC: “The British people decided, and that is obviously their absolute right, and if they are willing to come back, they will have to decide. But what I can tell them is: come back, anytime.” Lescure said he wanted Britain back in the union so they could face emerging global threats together.
Burnham said last week that the government’s options included keeping the current arrangements for the UK’s relationship with the EU, seeking a customs union, returning to the single market, or going “all the way” with full membership. He said ministers would examine “what is doable” and the “pros and cons” of each option.
The prime minister is travelling to Germany for talks with the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, whose government has supported Burnham’s suggestion that the UK could explore closer links with the EU. 2:20 Andy Burnham fights tears as he speaks of his dad at Labour conference – video. Burnham and Merz are expected to agree on a deal for closer security cooperation against cyber-attacks on European countries, but the two will also discuss UK-EU relations.
Lescure also responded to comments by Burnham that EU rules to help European manufacturers would damage the UK. Skip past newsletter promotion. Free newsletter | Every weekday. Sign up to First Edition. Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters. Enter your email. Sign up. After newsletter promotion. British government sources warned days earlier that the “EU reset” summit would be delayed again unless the bloc agreed to discuss legislation that could lock British business out of parts of EU industry. “Come back, and you’ll be at the table, and we discuss all these things together,” Lescure said.
Nigel Farage has claimed Burnham has given him “the biggest boost in my career” by reviving the Brexit debate, which the Reform UK leader said had reopened a “huge flank” for his party. Dismissing polls showing that as much as 59% of the public favoured rejoining the EU, Farage said: “Of course they do, until you tell them it’ll cost 25bn quid a year, until you tell them it’ll mean joining Schengen [the area of Europe that has open borders], until you tell them it will mean actually having to recommit to joining the euro.”
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The French Ministers Invitation for the UK to Come All the Way Back to the EU
Beginner Questions
1 What does come all the way back to the EU mean
It means the UK rejoining the European Union as a full member not just having a closer trading relationship
2 Who said this
A French minister said the UK was welcome to return if it changed its mind after Brexit
3 What is Brexit
Brexit was the UKs decision to leave the EU which officially happened on January 31 2020
4 Has the UK actually left the EU
Yes The UK left the EU in 2020 and fully exited its trade rules at the end of that year
5 Is the UK going to rejoin
Not currently The UK government has said it has no plans to rejoin the EU
6 Why would a French minister invite the UK back
France was signaling that the EUs door stays open and that close ties with the UK are valued
7 Did the UK respond to the invitation
Yes but coolly UK officials said there were no plans to return
8 Whats the difference between rejoining and a trade deal
Rejoining means full EU membership A trade deal is just an agreement to trade more easily without being a member
Intermediate Questions
9 Would the UK have to adopt the euro if it rejoined
New members are generally expected to adopt the euro eventually though the UK had an optout before Brexit
10 Would the UK get its old rebate back
Probably not The budget rebate the UK once had is unlikely to be offered again
11 Could the UK rejoin without joining the euro or Schengen
Possibly The EU has allowed optouts before but it would require tough negotiations
12 What would the UK have to give up to rejoin
It would likely need to accept EU rules pay into the EU budget and accept free movement of people
13 How long would rejoining take
Years The application and negotiation process is long and complex
14 Would all EU countries have to agree
Yes Every EU member state would have to approve
