Macron welcomes UK return to EU as Burnham weighs options

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reopened one of the most sensitive files in British politics by placing the possibility of his country's return to the European Union among the options for the future relationship with the bloc, a stance that received immediate welcome from French President Emmanuel Macron, who addressed the British in English saying: "Welcome back."

Macron said during a press conference in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: "If the British want to return, and if the Prime Minister is moving in this direction, I think that would be very good news for his country and for Europeans," before adding: "Come back." Sanchez took a similar stance, describing "Brexit" as a "huge loss for the British people and for the entire European project." He added that if Britain decides to seek a return to the EU, "Spain will applaud that and open its arms again to a brotherly people."

The French President's remarks came hours after an interview with Burnham in which he said his Labour government might consider a wide range of options to reshape the relationship with Europe, including joining the single market and customs union, up to "going all the way," referring to the possibility of returning to EU membership. Burnham told the BBC Radio "Today" program that there are "clear options that should be considered," adding: "We must examine what is feasible, and the pros and cons of each option." He continued: "What I am saying is that it is no longer acceptable to leave this question hanging."

Damage of Brexit

Burnham had announced on Tuesday at the annual Labour Party conference that Britain's exit from the EU had caused the country "more harm than good," linking it to "a decade of weak growth," and stressing the need for London to settle the shape of its long-term relationship with its largest trading partner.

The Prime Minister, who took office in July after Labour MPs ousted Keir Starmer, promised to present "different options" for the future relationship with the EU ahead of a summit expected between London and Brussels later this year. Burnham's statements represent a notable departure from the red lines contained in the manifesto on which Labour won the 2024 elections, which ruled out returning to the customs union or single market or restoring freedom of movement with EU countries.

His positions also bring back to the forefront the political division that has characterized Britain since the 2016 referendum, when 52 percent of Britons voted for leaving the EU against 48 percent who supported staying. A survey conducted by Savanta in June showed that 55 percent of voters would vote for a return if a new referendum were held.

Burnham's opponents from the right were quick to attack him, with Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice accusing the Prime Minister of trying to "bring us back to Brussels through the back door," while Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart accused the government of looking "backwards."

In contrast, Macron considered that "Burnham is right to show this courage," noting that the British were, during their membership in the Union, "demanding partners," but they also contributed to pushing towards simplifying some of its policies.

Membership conditions
However, the French President simultaneously stressed the limits of any British attempt to obtain a closer relationship with the EU without bearing the full obligations imposed by membership. He said: "You cannot cherry-pick the freedoms of the Union, taking what suits us and leaving the rest."

Burnham's stance also drew welcome from some voices supporting closer ties between London and Brussels. MEP Sandro Gozi, who heads a parliamentary initiative concerned with EU-UK relations, said that the British Prime Minister's willingness to discuss options publicly provides a "historic opportunity" for the Union.

Labor MP Stella Creasy said Burnham's statements meant that "the red lines have finally been removed." But experts warned against considering the statements as the beginning of an inevitable path to return to the EU.

Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe research center, told AFP that Burnham has so far only called for "starting a debate" about the available options, pointing to figures within his government who do not wish to drain too much time and political effort into the Europe file.

Burnham had supported remaining in the EU during the 2016 referendum and previously said he hoped Britain would return to the bloc within his lifetime. However, during his successful campaign to return to Parliament last June before succeeding Starmer as Prime Minister, he emphasized that he did not want to "re-fight" the battles of "Brexit."

These positions come as London and Brussels prepare for a summit likely to be held in November, after it was scheduled for July but postponed following Starmer's ouster. An EU official said the atmosphere between the two sides is "positive," and work is underway to prepare for the summit.

The two parties had hoped to reach several agreements regarding food and animal safety standards, a youth mobility scheme, and linking emissions trading systems. However, negotiations stalled, according to informed sources, due to British concerns over "Made in Europe" plans through which the EU seeks to protect some of its industrial sectors.