Macron and Sánchez welcome possible UK EU return

At talks in Madrid, Emmanuel Macron and Pedro Sánchez welcomed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to consider a future return to the EU. Burnham listed membership, the single market and the customs union as options for a new relationship, while both leaders warned Britain could not select EU policies individually.

• 27EU states at planned summit
• 52% to 48%margin in Brexit referendum
• 55%June poll backing re-entry — If another referendum were held

Q1

Which options will ministers assess?

Burnham named full membership, the single market and the customs union as possibilities, and said ministers would assess feasibility and trade-offs before meeting EU leaders.

Q2

Why revisit relations with Europe?

He linked Brexit to low growth and argued Britain needs a lasting arrangement with its largest trading partner, framing closer integration as an economic question.

Q3

What would membership negotiations involve?

Macron and Sánchez warned that Britain could not select EU policies individually, so any return would involve negotiations over broader membership terms.

Q4

What makes the proposal politically difficult?

Britain left after a referendum favouring departure, and critics argue reopening membership risks reversing that choice through a government-led process.