Barnier Warns UK Cannot Rejoin EU Single Market “À La Carte” as PM Andy Burnham Explores Closer Ties

Speaking ahead of a UK-EU summit scheduled later this month, Barnier said any future attempt by the UK to re-enter the EU’s internal market would require accepting the same obligations as existing members, including the principle of free movement of people.

Reiterating a phrase frequently used during the Brexit negotiations, Barnier stressed that there could be no “cherry-picking” of benefits without accepting the accompanying responsibilities.

“There will be no possibility to have one freedom and not the other. The four freedoms are clearly the four conditions to be inside a single market,” Barnier said.

The comments came after Burnham indicated that rejoining the EU’s single market was among a number of options that could be considered as part of a long-term effort to reshape Britain’s relationship with the European bloc.

Since becoming Prime Minister in July, Burnham has suggested he is open to discussing a significantly closer future relationship with the EU, including the possibility of eventually seeking full membership, although he has ruled out any major changes before the next general election.

Barnier, who led the EU’s Brexit negotiations from 2016 to 2021 and briefly served as French Prime Minister in 2024, said Europe’s door remained open should Britain ever apply to rejoin the European Union.

However, he made clear that participation in the EU single market would require full compliance with rules governing the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people, often referred to within the EU as the four freedoms.

Barnier also dismissed the prospect of restoring the UK’s historic EU budget rebate, first negotiated by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1985.

According to Barnier, Brexit fundamentally altered Britain’s relationship with the bloc and any future negotiations would take place under entirely new conditions.

The issue of free movement remains particularly sensitive in British politics. It was one of the defining topics of the 2016 Brexit referendum and continues to divide political opinion across the country.

Burnham recently stated that he would not support the return of free movement without first seeking public approval through a referendum. Downing Street later clarified that the government is not currently proposing any move to restore the policy.

The debate highlights the ongoing challenge facing UK leaders as they seek to strengthen economic cooperation with Europe while navigating the political legacy of Brexit and the expectations of British voters.