British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has put the idea of Britain rejoining the European Union on the table, breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister and reopening a debate that has divided Britain for a decade — a move that drew an immediate "welcome back" from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Burnham, who became premier in July after Labour MPs replaced Keir Starmer, told his party's annual conference in Manchester on September 29 that Britain's departure from the EU in 2020 had done "more harm than good" and had triggered "a decade of low growth", adding that Britain must decide on a long-term relationship with its largest trading partner.
On BBC radio the following day he went further, saying his centre-left Labour government could "go all the way" and propose full membership of the bloc after weighing the "pros and cons" of each option, with the single market, customs union, or full membership all on the table.
**Macron: 'Come back'**
Macron, speaking in Madrid after talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, welcomed the signal. "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 Europeans," he said, adding in English: "Come back." Sanchez echoed him, saying that if Britain asks to rejoin, Spain would applaud it and open its arms again. A European Commission spokesman said it was for London to chart a way forward, adding the EU remained open to engaging on the options put forward.
**A political gamble**
Right-wing rivals immediately attacked the comments, warning of a return of the bitter "Brexit wars" that followed the 2016 referendum, when Britons voted to leave by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Richard Tice, deputy leader of the anti-EU Reform UK party, accused Burnham of "trying to sneak us back into Brussels via the back door."
A poll by Survation in June found that 55 per cent of voters would opt to rejoin if a referendum were held again. But analysts urged caution: Anand Menon of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank noted Burnham had only promised a conversation about options, and several cabinet colleagues would not want him spending much time on Europe.
Burnham is also bound by the 2024 election manifesto that ruled out rejoining the customs union, the single market, or restoring freedom of movement. He has promised to set out the options closer to a planned UK-EU summit later in 2026.
**Sources:** 'Welcome Back,' Says Macron, as British PM Opens Door to EU Return (The Straits Times, via AFP); 'Welcome Back', Says Macron as British PM Signals EU Return (Dawn)
Burnham, who became premier in July after Labour MPs replaced Keir Starmer, told his party's annual conference in Manchester on September 29 that Britain's departure from the EU in 2020 had done "more harm than good" and had triggered "a decade of low growth", adding that Britain must decide on a long-term relationship with its largest trading partner.
On BBC radio the following day he went further, saying his centre-left Labour government could "go all the way" and propose full membership of the bloc after weighing the "pros and cons" of each option, with the single market, customs union, or full membership all on the table.
**Macron: 'Come back'**
Macron, speaking in Madrid after talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, welcomed the signal. "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 Europeans," he said, adding in English: "Come back." Sanchez echoed him, saying that if Britain asks to rejoin, Spain would applaud it and open its arms again. A European Commission spokesman said it was for London to chart a way forward, adding the EU remained open to engaging on the options put forward.
**A political gamble**
Right-wing rivals immediately attacked the comments, warning of a return of the bitter "Brexit wars" that followed the 2016 referendum, when Britons voted to leave by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Richard Tice, deputy leader of the anti-EU Reform UK party, accused Burnham of "trying to sneak us back into Brussels via the back door."
A poll by Survation in June found that 55 per cent of voters would opt to rejoin if a referendum were held again. But analysts urged caution: Anand Menon of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank noted Burnham had only promised a conversation about options, and several cabinet colleagues would not want him spending much time on Europe.
Burnham is also bound by the 2024 election manifesto that ruled out rejoining the customs union, the single market, or restoring freedom of movement. He has promised to set out the options closer to a planned UK-EU summit later in 2026.
**Sources:** 'Welcome Back,' Says Macron, as British PM Opens Door to EU Return (The Straits Times, via AFP); 'Welcome Back', Says Macron as British PM Signals EU Return (Dawn)
