At a press conference alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the French leader expressed the view that the UK’s return to the bloc would be “a good decision.” He noted that London had been a “demanding” partner with existing ties in defense, security, immigration, and “many strategic issues.”

“I think it is excellent that he (Burnham) dares to propose it. We are here to try to get things done. And we often see the limitations this creates for the UK when it wants to work with us,” he remarked, referring to the Brexit departure formalized in 2020.

However, both Macron and Sanchez agreed that one cannot “pick and choose” aspects of the relationship with the EU; it entails accepting all provisions of EU law.

Nevertheless, Macron noted that the British would be “very welcome” in the EU and praised Burnham’s courage in proposing initiatives that break with the current trend.

For his part, Sanchez argued that Brexit was a huge loss—”for the British people, as well as for the EU and the European project as a whole.”

In any case, he stated that Spain would “welcome the UK back with open arms” into the EU, describing it as a “brotherly nation” with which Spain maintains “good relations in all areas.”

At a Labour Party conference, Burnham noted that leaving the EU had caused the UK more harm than good and emphasized that London would need to establish a new relationship with the bloc.

jdt/arm/ocs/ft