Macron brands Brexit 'biggest lie of the last 30 years' and says 'welcome back' to Britain as Burnham opens EU door
From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026.
Andy Burnham posted on X as he pledged to build a National Care Service in memory of his late father, who had voted Labour 'religiously' throughout his life.Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, acknowledged he would 'pay a political price' for scrapping the earnings link from state pension rises to fund a National Care Service costing up to £18 billion a year.
Emmanuel Macron publicly welcomed Andy Burnham's suggestion that Britain could rejoin the EU, declaring "welcome back" at a Madrid press conference alongside Spain's Pedro Sanchez. Macron blamed Brexit directly for the small boats crisis and Britain's economic decline, claiming the UK is eight GDP points worse off a decade on. Burnham had told Labour conference that Brexit had done "more harm than good" and pledged to set out options on the long-term EU relationship by the end of the year. Brussels insiders have warned, however, that rejoining would require concessions the UK may find unacceptable.
Labour's election manifesto explicitly ruled out re-entering the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
Spain's Pedro Sanchez said his country would welcome a British bid to rejoin the EU with 'open arms'.
