🇬🇧 Andy Burnham · 🇫🇷 Emmanuel Macron
Macron says welcome back to Burnham suggestion UK could rejoin EU | European Union
What happened
Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded positively to Burnham's speech at the Labour party conference, with Macron saying "welcome back" to a potential UK EU bid. Burnham suggested the UK could maintain the status quo, seek a customs union, return to the single market, or rejoin the EU in full. EU officials have welcomed the change in tone but said it is up to the UK to define what it wants from a future relationship.
Why it matters
The statement from Macron and Sánchez suggests a shift in EU attitude towards the UK, which could affect the UK's future relationship with the EU. The EU is open to the UK joining the customs union or single market, but this would require the UK to align with EU trade policy and tariffs. The UK's exclusion from EU policies and programs, such as Made in Europe, remains a contentious issue.
Key facts
- Macron welcomed a potential UK EU bid, saying it would be good news for both the UK and Europeans.
- EU officials are open to the UK joining the customs union or single market, but this would require alignment with EU trade policy and tariffs.
- The UK's exclusion from EU policies and programs, such as Made in Europe, remains a contentious issue.
Official statement
“If the British want to come back and if the prime minister is moving in that direction, I think that is very good news, both for his country and for the Europeans.”
🇬🇧 Andy Burnham · Full statement & source
Topics
Publisher evidence used
Reporting attributed to theguardian.com. WorldLeadersNews links readers to the publisher and does not present a headline-only item as a full article analysis.
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