Burnham, who took office in July after Labour MPs ousted Keir Starmer, floated the idea of Britain re‑joining the EU in a Wednesday interview with BBC News. He said the option was among several he would present at the next Labour Party conference, and that the government would consider it closer to the planned EU summit later this year.
Macron met with Sanchez in Madrid and, in a brief statement in English, responded with a single word: "Welcome back." He added that the decision would be "good news" for both the UK and the rest of Europe. Macron also praised the UK’s past role in simplifying EU policies, calling British partners "demanding but useful."
Sanchez echoed Macron’s sentiment, calling Brexit a "huge loss" for both Britain and the EU project. He said Spain would applaud and open its arms again to a "brotherly people", reinforcing the idea that the UK could return to the single market and customs union.
Rejoining the EU would require Britain to accept the 28‑state union’s rules, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU budget contributions. Analysts say the path will be complex, but the offer could be a diplomatic win for the Labour government, which has struggled to define its post‑Brexit identity.
The next step is the EU summit scheduled for October, where the UK will likely present its case and negotiate terms. Macron’s invitation signals that France, along with Spain, is ready to discuss the UK’s potential accession, while Brussels will weigh the implications for the bloc’s cohesion.