Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Macron Welcomes Burnham’s Proposal for Britain to Rejoin EU
The United Kingdom left the European Union after Brexit.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain might one day think about joining again.
He also said there could be other ways to build closer ties with Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the idea by saying, “Welcome back.”
Macron said Britain had been a useful and demanding EU partner.
He warned that Britain could not choose only the EU benefits it wanted while remaining outside the bloc.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also said Brexit had been a huge loss.
He said Spain would welcome Britain back if it sought to rejoin.
French President Emmanuel Macron said “Welcome back” after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham raised rejoining the European Union as a possible option.
Macron said a British return would be good news for the United Kingdom and Europe.
Burnham said he would present different options for future UK-EU ties before a planned summit later this year.
Macron praised Britain’s former role in the EU but warned it could not choose only the bloc’s preferred freedoms while staying outside.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Brexit a huge loss and said Spain would welcome the United Kingdom back.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
- What
- Burnham raised rejoining the European Union as one possible option for Britain’s future relationship with Europe, prompting supportive responses from Macron and Sanchez.
- When
- The comments were made on Wednesday; Burnham referred to a planned UK-EU summit later this year.
- Where
- Macron and Sanchez spoke at a news conference in Madrid.
- Why
- Burnham said Britain needed to consider its long-term relationship with Europe and would present different options for closer ties.
Closer European integration
Remaining outside the bloc
Britain’s future relationship with the EU
Closer European integration
Burnham presented rejoining the European Union as one possible answer, while Macron and Sanchez welcomed the prospect.
Remaining outside the bloc
The reports leave open alternatives to rejoining, and Macron said Britain could not remain outside while selecting only the EU freedoms it preferred.
Assessment of Brexit
Closer European integration
Sanchez called Brexit a huge loss for Britain and the European project.
Remaining outside the bloc
The reports do not include a direct defense of Brexit or a detailed argument for remaining outside the EU.
- Possible future option
- The United Kingdom rejoining the European Union.
- Macron’s response
- He said “Welcome back” and called a British return very good news for Britain and Europe.
- Burnham’s plan
- He said he would set out different options for future EU ties before a planned summit later this year.
- Macron’s condition
- He said the UK could not select only the EU freedoms it wanted while remaining outside the bloc.
- Sanchez’s assessment
- He described Brexit as a huge loss for the British population and the European project.
- Spain’s position
- Sanchez said Spain would welcome the United Kingdom back into the EU.
