Macron Says 'Welcome Back' to Talk of UK Rejoining the EU
French President Emmanuel Macron answered a question about Britain rejoining the European Union with two words in English: "Welcome back."
He said it with a smile at a news conference in Madrid on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, after being asked about a suggestion by Andy Burnham that the United Kingdom could rejoin the bloc. The Guardian
He was appearing alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Sánchez met with Macron in Madrid on 30 September 2026. La Moncloa The two leaders spoke to the media together that day. During the meeting, Sánchez reaffirmed the need to promote greater European sovereignty, the idea that EU countries should be able to act more independently together on security, the economy and other big issues.
Andy Burnham is the prime minister of the United Kingdom. RFI In interviews on Wednesday, Burnham listed four British options: keeping the current arrangement, joining a customs union, returning to the single market, or pursuing full EU membership. The Guardian Think of them as different levels of club membership. A customs union generally means shared tariffs on goods from outside. The single market means following common rules to trade more freely. Full membership means both, plus a seat at the EU decision-making table.
In his Labour party conference speech, Burnham said Brexit had done more harm than good. He said Britain would not have a clear path until it decides on a long-term relationship with its largest market.
Macron said if the British want to come back and if the prime minister is moving in that direction, it is very good news for his country and for Europeans. Sánchez said Spain would open its arms to any UK bid to rejoin the EU. Macron also described Brexit as the biggest lie of the last 30 years, pointing to shortfalls in promised economic growth and trade opportunities.
The broader context here is about political signalling rather than legal process. A short phrase in English, spoken by a French president next to a Spanish prime minister, lowers the political cost of discussing re-entry in London. It commits Paris and Madrid to nothing concrete. Open arms is hospitality, not a timetable.
Looking at what may come next, the detail to watch is how Burnham framed the choice. Status quo, customs union, single market and full membership carry different obligations and different levels of access. By naming all four, Burnham leaves room for debate at home without choosing an endpoint. By answering only the final option with "Welcome back," Macron and Sánchez focus on principle and avoid the middle options. That gap between welcome and terms, pace and public support is where to watch.
