French finance minister invites UK to rejoin EU
Roland Lescure tells the UK it is welcome to return to the bloc at any time following suggestions from Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding a potential second referendum.
Roland Lescure tells the UK it is welcome to return to the bloc at any time following suggestions from Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding a potential second referendum.
French finance minister Roland Lescure has invited the UK to rejoin the European Union at any time. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Lescure said the UK is welcome to return to the EU whenever they wish.
The minister noted that being in the EU helps members address global challenges. 'British people decided, and that's obviously their 100% right, and if they're willing to come back, they will have to decide. But what I can tell them is: come back, anytime,' he said. 'Come back, and you'll be at the table, and we discuss all these things together.'
The invitation follows comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who suggested last week that the UK should consider several options. These include maintaining the current status quo, returning to the single market, or rejoining the customs union, or rejoining the EU fully, according to the BBC and The Guardian.
The UK is currently exploring closer ties with the EU at a summit later this year. The Prime Minister warned that the EU's planned Made In Europe scheme could damage British industry and supply chains. The scheme aims to protect EU industry from Chinese competitors by prioritising companies within the bloc for subsidies and public contracts.
The EU car industry has requested the UK be included in the scheme to avoid supply chain disruption.
Nigel Farage of Reform UK claimed the Brexit debate has been revived. He claimed that rejoining the EU would incur an annual cost of £25bn. Meanwhile, polls reported by The Guardian suggest 59% of the public reportedly favoured rejoining the EU.
It has been 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Germany on Thursday for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to The Independent. The leaders are expected to discuss a joint security framework to counter cyber-attacks, sabotage, and hybrid threats.
The visit also includes discussions on aid for Ukraine, Middle East instability, and global shipping lane disruptions. The leaders are expected to agree on a security deal and convene a UK-Germany Regional Growth Forum. The Kensington Treaty is due for formal ratification on Thursday.