Burnham Opens Door to EU Return As Macron Says ‘Welcome Back’

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has put EU membership among the options for Britain’s future relationship with Europe, drawing a welcome from French President Emmanuel Macron and reopening the debate over Labour’s Brexit policy.

Burnham said his government would assess arrangements ranging from the existing relationship to a customs union, single-market participation or full membership.

Macron endorsed the prospect of a British return while stressing that engagement with the bloc carries obligations.

Membership Enters the Review

Speaking to the BBC’s Today program on Wednesday, Burnham said Britain could go “all the way” as part of a broader assessment of its European policy.

The intervention followed his Labour conference speech, in which he argued that Brexit’s costs had outweighed its benefits.

A day earlier, he had called for a national discussion about Britain’s longer-term ties with its European partners.

His review will examine both the feasibility of each option and its advantages and disadvantages. Keeping the current arrangements remains a possibility.

The alternatives include a customs union, advocated by former chancellor George Osborne, and single-market participation, raised by the Liberal Democrats at their conference.

Macron Welcomes a Return

Macron said a British move toward membership would benefit both Britain and Europe.

“Welcome back, if the British want to return.”

The French president described Burnham’s initiative as a sound decision.

He also pointed to continued bilateral cooperation in defense, security, immigration and other strategic areas despite Britain’s departure from the EU.

But his welcome came with a qualification: Britain’s efforts to deepen its European relationship from outside the bloc faced limits.

“You cannot decide to take what suits you and leave the rest.”

Labour’s Commitments Under Review

Burnham’s approach places Labour’s previous restrictions on European integration in question.

Its 2024 election manifesto ruled out joining a customs union, the single market or the EU.

Party officials say any replacement policy would be set out in Labour’s next election manifesto.

That vote could still be three years away, leaving the review without an immediate commitment to pursue membership.

Burnham wants to build agreement around a new approach, although reopening the issue risks reviving divisions over Brexit.

European diplomats expect a U.K.-EU summit in Brussels on November 20.

The Cabinet Office, however, said the timing had not been agreed, confirming only that both sides intended to hold a summit this year.