Story perspectives

EU warns UK could charge EU children, urges re-entry.

4/25/2026

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Rycroft Urges Re-entry

EU lawmakers warned that UK policies could charge EU-born children for NHS care and have slashed funding for settlement-aid charities.
Former permanent secretary Philip Rycroft said Britain should consider rejoining the EU and urged an appraisal of its best interests.
Economic analysis shows UK GDP declined after leaving the single market, according to Rycroft.
Rycroft cited a YouGov poll with 53 % favouring EU re-entry, 32 % opposing and 14 % undecided.

Right

Picardo Urges Rejoin

Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo urged Spanish business leaders to reverse the 2016 Brexit referendum and re-join the EU.
Brexit Department Secretary Philip Rycroft said UK re-entry into the EU is logical and urged an appraisal of Britain’s best interests.
Lord Frost said Rycroft’s view challenges, with Nigel Farage labeling him an enemy of democracy.
Labour adopt 76 EU directives, align with Brussels, and limit Brexit MPs to rubber-stamp laws.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 Prime Minister Harold Wilson led Labour to hold the UK's first nationwide referendum on 5 June, asking voters to stay in the European Communities; 67.2 % voted “yes” with 64 % turnout. The result anchored a pro-European stance until the 2016 EU vote reversed it, prompting Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo and former civil servant Philip Rycroft to urge a new Brexit reconsideration.

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Rycroft Urges Re-entry

EU lawmakers warned that UK policies could charge EU-born children for NHS care and have slashed funding for settlement-aid charities.
Former permanent secretary Philip Rycroft said Britain should consider rejoining the EU and urged an appraisal of its best interests.
Economic analysis shows UK GDP declined after leaving the single market, according to Rycroft.
Rycroft cited a YouGov poll with 53 % favouring EU re-entry, 32 % opposing and 14 % undecided.

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