Current Date 05 Oct, 2026

“Welcome Back”: Macron’s Message to Britain After PM Floats EU Return

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's suggestion that Britain could seek to rejoin the European Union, saying 'Welcome back' and praising Britain as a demanding but useful partner. Speaking in Madrid alongside Spain's prime minister, Macron called rejoining good news for both Britain and Europe and warned that the EU's freedoms cannot be cherry-picked while remaining outside the bloc.