In 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum on leaving the EU. In the vote, 51.9% backed departing the Union, whilst 48.1% wished to remain. Following this, the withdrawal process with the Council of the EU was formally launched. The United Kingdom officially left the EU on 31 December 2020.
Burnham outlined three proposals for what Britain’s return to EU structures might look like. The first option would entail formally rejoining the EU. The second option would be entering the EU single market, and he identified joining the customs union as the third option. Burnham added that he intends to raise these proposals at the UK–EU summit scheduled for November this year.
Burnham is the first prime minister since Brexit to moot the possibility of returning to the EU. In his view, Brexit did more harm than good, and he is keen to improve relations between the EU and the UK. His remarks were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Macron described the proposals as "excellent news", while Sánchez noted that the UK would be welcomed back with "open arms". Macron went on to call the announcement good news both for Britain and for all Europeans, adding that rejoining would be a "wise decision".
The reaction from Brussels was positive, albeit with an emphasis that the British government must decide for itself how it wishes to proceed regarding its relationship with the EU. An official spokesperson for the European Commission noted that the United Kingdom is an important and close partner of the European Union. They concluded by stating that the Commission remains open to discussing whatever options the British government might table for the future of UK–EU relations.
If Britain were to return to the EU, it would bring substantial benefits to both British and European Union citizens, whether in terms of working or study conditions. For the EU, it would mean the return of a major economic powerhouse. At the same time, the United Kingdom would be expected to commit to adopting the euro as a common currency, opening its borders within the Schengen Area, and finding domestic unity on the matter. It is likely, however, that just as in the past, Britain would seek opt-outs for itself.
It remains questionable, however, just how successful Burnham would be with this initiative. One possible scenario is that the election is won not by Labour, but by the right-wing populist party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. In that event, all such plans would be thrown into jeopardy and likely halted altogether. It is also possible that a Farage-led government would have an adverse impact on EU enlargement across the Western Balkans. Events could unfold in any number of ways, so let us stay positive. Time will tell what the future—and the 2029 UK general election—has in store.
