UK prime minister puts return to EU on table
Andy Burnham calls full rejoining one of the options for the future relationship with Europe.
UK prime minister Andy Burnham is no longer ruling out the possibility that the United Kingdom could eventually rejoin the European Union. French president Emmanuel Macron responded with the words “welcome back”, while Brussels stresses that London must first make clear exactly what it wants.
Burnham said at the Labour conference that his government was examining various long-term options. According to public reports, these range from limited cooperation to a full return to the European Union. He said that Britain has no clear future direction as long as its relationship with its largest market remains unsettled.
The UK prime minister did not thereby announce a concrete plan for a new application to join. Nor did he announce a referendum or timetable. It is a political possibility that the government wants to take into account when preparing for a future EU summit.
The reactions from France and Spain were notably positive. Macron said at a press conference in Madrid that a return would be good news for both the United Kingdom and Europe. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said, according to reports, that Spain would welcome the British with open arms.
The European Commission is keeping the door ajar, but is not speaking of an automatic return. A spokesperson said that the United Kingdom is a valued partner and that the Commission is open to proposals from the British government. At the same time, the Commission stresses that London itself must indicate the direction it wants to take.
In practical terms, talks about closer cooperation are already under way. According to a Commission briefing, these include sanitary and phytosanitary rules, linking emissions trading systems and a possible youth mobility scheme. These subjects form part of a closer relationship, not a decision to rejoin.
A full return would moreover go much further than easing trade or migration arrangements. The United Kingdom would once again have to commit to the EU treaty and the conditions that apply to accession. No negotiations on this have begun.
The political significance of Burnham’s statement lies above all in breaking with previous reticence in British politics. Supporters see scope to restore economic and security ties; opponents fear that a new Brexit debate would rekindle domestic divisions. For now, then, the British direction remains a subject of debate, not established government policy.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Burnham has mentioned several options for the relationship with the EU.
- Full rejoining has been mentioned as a possibility.
- No application to join or referendum has been announced.
- The European Commission says it is open to British proposals.
Left
Arguments Closer European cooperation can strengthen trade, workers’ rights, youth mobility and joint security. From this perspective, Brexit has caused economic and social damage that can only be limited through ambitious rapprochement.
Values International cooperation, public services and protection of labour.
Consequences A return could increase influence and economic opportunities, but would require political courage and lengthy negotiations.
Centre
Arguments The first step should be practical: improve trade, mobility and security where there is mutual benefit. A full return should only be considered if there is a stable majority for it in the United Kingdom and a workable plan.
Values Pragmatism, institutional stability and democratic legitimacy.
Consequences Gradual rapprochement can solve concrete problems, but may also leave uncertainty about the final destination for years.
Right
Arguments The United Kingdom must be able to decide for itself on laws, borders and trade. From this perspective, a return to the EU would once again hand powers away and undermine the Brexit mandate.
Values National sovereignty, democratic control and independent regulation.
Consequences Keeping its distance protects national policy space, but may make economic and security coordination with European countries more difficult.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The political statements and Macron’s response have been confirmed by The Guardian and the Élysée. The article clearly distinguishes between a political option and a formal accession procedure.
- confirmed Andy Burnham has mentioned a full return to the EU as a possible option. — The Guardian describes Burnham’s statement about various options, including full rejoining. source
- confirmed Emmanuel Macron responded with “welcome back”. — The Élysée publication contains the press conference in which Macron says this. source
- confirmed The European Commission is open to proposals from the United Kingdom but has not promised a return. — This is stated in the European Commission briefing. source
- confirmed The EU and the UK are discussing sanitary rules, emissions trading and youth mobility. — The Commission names these three subjects for negotiation in the briefing. source
- confirmed No British application to join or referendum has been announced. — The sources consulted describe options and discussions, but no application or referendum. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Burnham mentioned a full return as an option and that Macron responded positively. There has been no British application, referendum or formal accession process.Sources
- Andy Burnham: UK could go all the way by rejoining EU — The Guardian
- Visite d’État en Espagne — Élysée
- EU-UK relations: Commission midday briefing of 1 October 2026 — Europese Commissie
- PM meeting with Micheál Martin: 18 September 2026 — GOV.UK
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „andy burnham”
- de Volkskrant — „andy burnham”
- RTL Nieuws — „andy burnham”