Barnier Warns UK Cannot Rejoin EU Single Market on Its Own Terms

The comments come after Burnham suggested that rejoining the EU’s internal market could be among the options his government explores as part of efforts to reshape the UK’s long-term relationship with the European Union.

Speaking ahead of an upcoming UK-EU summit, Barnier stressed that any return to the single market would require Britain to accept the same obligations as all other participating member states.

“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 former French prime minister and chief EU Brexit negotiator reiterated a key principle that defined the years of Brexit negotiations, stating that there could be no “cherry-picking” of benefits without accepting the accompanying responsibilities.

Barnier explained that rejoining the single market would mean accepting the EU’s so-called four freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.

One of the most politically sensitive issues remains the free movement of people, which was a central factor in the UK’s 2016 Brexit referendum. Under previous EU arrangements, citizens of EU member states could live and work in the UK without requiring visas.

Since becoming prime minister in July, Burnham has signalled a willingness to pursue a significantly closer relationship with Europe and has even suggested that rejoining the European Union as a full member could be considered in the future. However, he has ruled out major changes before the next general election.

Barnier said the European Union remains open to Britain rejoining.

“The door is open,” he said, while emphasising that any future participation would require the UK to follow the same rules and obligations as other EU members.

He also dismissed the prospect of restoring the UK’s historic EU budget rebate, first negotiated in 1985, saying Brexit had fundamentally changed the relationship and that a new rebate would be “off the table”.

The debate highlights the political challenges facing the Burnham government as it seeks to strengthen economic cooperation with Europe while navigating the legacy of Brexit and ongoing public divisions over Britain’s relationship with the EU.