Macron tells Britain ‘welcome back’ after Burnham floats EU return

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to the UK potentially rejoining the European Union, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to declare, “Welcome back.”

Burnham said his Labour government would consider several options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU, including returning to the single market or customs union, or potentially seeking full membership.

“We could go all the way,” Burnham told the BBC on Wednesday.

Burnham, who became prime minister in July, told Labour’s annual conference that Brexit had done “more harm than good” and contributed to years of weak economic growth.

He said the government would examine “what is doable, and what would be the pros and cons of each” option before setting out its approach around a planned UK-EU summit later this year.

Macron welcomed the possibility during a news conference in Madrid.

“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,” Macron said.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also welcomed the prospect of Britain returning to the bloc.

Burnham has not committed to seeking EU membership, and his comments have already drawn criticism from Conservative and Reform UK politicians.