Senior MEPs in Brussels are openly calling for the UK to rejoin the European Union, and several believe Labour leader Andy Burnham is the figure best placed to make it happen. Speaking to MEPs during a visit to the European Parliament this week, the message was clear: Brussels wants Britain back.
When asked when she would like to see the UK rejoin, Green MEP Terry Reintke replied, "Tomorrow." She added, "But, politically, it might not be possible right now." Reintke previously led a rendition of Auld Lang Syne in January 2020 when Brexit took effect and Britain's MEPs left the European Parliament.
Cross-party support in Brussels
The issue crosses party political divides in Brussels. David McAllister, a German conservative and senior member of the Christian Democratic Union, strongly believes there should be a smooth path for the UK to follow if it wants to rejoin. McAllister's father James was a Queen's Park supporter who grew up in the shadow of Hampden Park in Mount Florida.
There are 10 countries that have declared they want in and are working towards membership. McAllister argues the UK would be treated differently as it was a member for 48 years previously, meaning it could jump the queue.
Political hurdles remain
Two of the UK's largest three parties are ferociously opposed to the EU. The Tories once had a moderate pro-Europe wing until it was purged by Boris Johnson. This leaves the field clear for Burnham to position himself as a pragmatic leader who wants a better deal for people across Britain.
Burnham's recent speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool was viewed by MEPs with delight. They see a Labour leader who is unashamedly pro-Europe. After a decade of negative conversation around the EU in the UK, with the agenda set by Farage and Johnson, the new PM has asked people to reflect on what Brexit has achieved.
Impact on Scotland and potential conditions
Scots see the impact of quitting the EU every time they travel through a European airport and are forced into a longer passport queue. Red tape for Scots businesses trying to export goods to the continent is out of control, and the fishing industry was promised greater quotas that never materialised.
MEPs are openly suggesting the UK will not be expected to join the Euro or the Schengen travel zone as conditions of rejoining. There would be an expectation in return that the UK would have to formally rule out "any more divorces," meaning no more threats of leaving once back in. Michael Marra wants the UK to rejoin at the earliest opportunity and wants Burnham to make that a Labour manifesto commitment ahead of the next general election.
