French officials invite Britain to rejoin the European Union

French officials have publicly invited Britain to rejoin the European Union. Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the UK would be welcome to return "anytime." Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot added that France was "absolutely ready" to reopen the door, and said talks between the two sides had already started. President Emmanuel Macron called a possible British return "excellent news" during a visit to Spain in September 2026. The invitations came after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a second referendum on EU membership was "possible" and that the UK should think carefully about its options. Britain left the EU in 2020 following a vote in 2016. The current Labour government has been more open to closer EU ties than the previous Conservative administration.