France Invites UK to Rejoin EU After Burnham Signals Referendum

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure invited the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union anytime, following statements from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham that a second Brexit referendum is possible in a future Labour election manifesto. Burnham stated that Brexit caused more harm than good and indicated the government is exploring options for closer ties, including a customs union, single market membership, or full EU membership.

The invitation follows tensions over the EU's Made In Europe scheme designed to protect bloc manufacturers from Chinese competition. While Burnham warned these rules could damage British industry, Lescure argued that rejoining the EU would allow the UK to be at the table for such discussions.

Burnham is traveling to Germany for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss security cooperation against cyber-attacks and broader UK-EU relations. In response to the shifting policy, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the revival of the Brexit debate, claiming it provides a political boost to his party.