Germany pledges help as Burnham floats rejoining EU

Andy Burnham has said Britain could one day rejoin the European Union, the first time a British prime minister has openly put that idea forward. European capitals welcomed it warmly, but Brussels was more guarded. Burnham's own cabinet is reported to be split on the question.

In a BBC radio interview on Wednesday, September 30, Burnham said future options included joining the European single market and customs union, "or we could go all the way." He had already told Labour's annual conference that Brexit had done "more harm than good" and caused "a decade of low growth." He promised to set out "different options" ahead of a planned summit with the bloc. He told ITV he might put a new referendum in Labour's next election manifesto if public opinion was "pointing towards" rejoining. The next general election is not expected until 2029.thesun+2

Capitals cheer, Brussels hedges

Speaking in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, French President Emmanuel Macron said in English: "Welcome back." "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. He also warned that Britain could not "choose between the freedoms of the union" and keep only what suits it. Sanchez said Spain would "open its arms again to a brotherly people."lemonde+1

On Thursday, Germany's ambassador to the UK, Susanne Baumann, told The Telegraph that "in Germany you will always find a partner for setting the ambition as high as we can." Irish minister Neale Richmond said "the light remains on."news.yahoo

Brussels was less effusive. "We remain open to engaging on the options it may put forward," said European Commission spokesman Balazs Ujvari. One EU official told AFP the change of tone was positive, "but we're not going to change our approach because there's nice music in the background." Sebastien Maillard of Chatham House called rejoining "too big, too soon." The first test is a UK-EU summit expected in November, though no date has been set. Talks have stalled over the EU's "Made in Europe" industrial plan.ctvnews+1

Divisions at home

The Independent reported that Burnham faces a divided cabinet, including senior ministers whose constituencies voted heavily to Leave. One minister questioned whether rejoining would help with migration. Another said: "If there was no political risk I think we would rejoin tomorrow, but we have to be mindful of Nigel Farage." Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds had earlier warned that reopening the membership question could create "a lot of uncertainty for business."independent

Farage, the Reform UK leader, said a second referendum would "divide the country bitterly." He added that Burnham "might just give me the biggest boost in my career ever." Burnham is still bound by the 2024 manifesto, which ruled out joining the customs union or single market. Anand Menon of UK in a Changing Europe was skeptical: "All he seems to have said is: 'We'll have a conversation about it now.'"thesun+1