World · Europe · 23 hrs ago
EU re-entry would require UK to adopt the euro, MEP says
Sandro Gozi, an MEP representing France, says the UK would have to give up the pound to rejoin the European Union.
He wants Britain to be part of a more integrated EU, which he says would also involve free movement and closer European defence cooperation.
New EU members are legally required to adopt the euro.
When the UK was an EU member, it had an opt-out from joining the eurozone.
Gozi says the UK would have to apply to join under the EU’s current rules rather than keep its former terms.
All 27 EU member countries would have to approve the UK’s accession.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime, but Downing Street declined to comment on Gozi’s remarks.
Sandro Gozi, a French member of the European Parliament, said the UK would have to adopt the euro to rejoin the EU.
He also said the UK would need to accept free movement, contribute more money and take part in a more integrated union.
New EU members are legally required to adopt the euro, the article says.
Gozi described Brexit as a “democratic disaster” and said reversing it would be a victory over Nigel Farage.
Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s stated support for rejoining the EU.
- Who
- Sandro Gozi, a French MEP, said the UK would have to adopt the euro. Andrew Griffith criticised the prospect of rejoining.
- What
- The UK would have to accept the euro and other conditions to rejoin the EU, according to Gozi.
- When
- Gozi made the remarks “last night” in an interview with The Mail on Sunday; the article was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Brussels and the European Union.
- Why
- New EU members are legally required to adopt the euro, the article says.
Sandro Gozi
Andrew Griffith
EU re-entry terms
Sandro Gozi
The UK should rejoin a more integrated EU and accept the euro, free movement and other obligations.
Andrew Griffith
Rejoining would mean sacrificing the pound, restoring free movement and giving Brussels control over UK laws.
Burnham’s position
Sandro Gozi
Gozi said he wanted Britain to be part of a more integrated European Union.
Andrew Griffith
Griffith said Burnham’s pro-EU stance weakened his negotiating position and called his goal an “undemocratic fool’s errand.
Brexit was a 'democratic disaster'
It will have to start from scratch where we will have to apply our own rules.
By making his prejudices in favour of the EU so clear, the Prime Minister's negotiating position is already hopeless.
It is absolutely true that the EU would like us back in, but they will seek the best possible deal for themselves in achieving that.
The UK held the referendum that Gozi referred to when discussing Brexit.
The Daily Mail published its report on Gozi’s remarks about conditions for UK re-entry to the EU.
- Sandro Gozi
- French MEP representing Renew Europe
- EU membership
- 27 member countries would have to agree to UK accession
- Euro
- New EU members are legally required to adopt the currency
- Prime Minister
- Andy Burnham said his dream was for the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime
- Article publication
- 11 October 2026
Sources
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