Story perspectives

Burnham floats EU re-entry talks, Macron welcomes in Madrid

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 6:12 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham, Labour leader, said Britain could consider rejoining the EU at his conference speech.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the proposal and said “Welcome back” in Madrid.
Minister Simon Coveney called Burnham the first UK leader since Brexit to reopen re-entry talks.
Coveney said Ireland would support British re-entry but warned negotiations will be extensive.
Burnham said Brexit caused decade of drift and he will examine union or EU membership.

History

Historical Context

Since joining the European Communities in 1973 and voting 67% to stay in the 1975 referendum, the UK held a second EU vote on 23 June 2016, where 51.9% chose to leave. Cameron’s resignation and May’s 2020 trade deal followed the formal exit in 2020. Andy Burnham’s 2024 call to re-join echoes Labour’s earlier soft-Brexit stance, prompting a response from France’s Emmanuel Macron.

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Story summary

Andy Burnham, Labour leader, said Britain could consider rejoining the EU at his conference speech.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the proposal and said “Welcome back” in Madrid.
Minister Simon Coveney called Burnham the first UK leader since Brexit to reopen re-entry talks.
Coveney said Ireland would support British re-entry but warned negotiations will be extensive.
Burnham said Brexit caused decade of drift and he will examine union or EU membership.

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