Macron and Sánchez welcome possibility of UK rejoining the EU
Macron called it "excellent news" and Sánchez said Spain would receive Britain back "with open arms".
French president Emmanuel Macron said it would be "excellent news" and "a good decision" if the United Kingdom decided to rejoin the European Union, while Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said his country would welcome the UK's return "with open arms".
Macron made the remarks in Madrid at a joint press conference with Sánchez after British prime minister Andy Barnam said the UK should consider its options for future relations with the EU, including possible re‑membership. Barnam has argued publicly that Brexit "has done more harm than good".
Barnam's proposals and the response in Europe
Speaking to the BBC, Barnam said the UK should look at a range of long‑term models for ties with Europe and decide which offers the best way forward. He said, "We can remain where we are. That is certainly one option, if people think that this is a good place to remain."
Barnam also referenced existing proposals as examples to study: "We can look at what George Osborne said about a customs union. We can look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market, and we can go all the way," he told the broadcaster.
Macron and Sánchez’s immediate, positive reaction underlines how some EU capitals view the idea warmly, even if re‑entry would require lengthy negotiations and agreement from existing member states. The comments come as Barnam seeks to strengthen ties with Europe and re‑open debate in the UK about its post‑Brexit direction.
Photo: press material from the event
