European Union officials told POLITICO that Brussels would show flexibility toward the United Kingdom regarding the eurozone and the Schengen area if the country applies to rejoin the bloc.
Brussels Signals Flexibility on the Eurozone and Schengen Area
The European Union would not necessarily require the United Kingdom to adopt the single currency or join the zone without border control if London seeks readmission, two EU officials told POLITICO. These sensitive border and monetary policy requirements historically drove much of the domestic British resistance to European integration. While a standard accession path exists on paper, practice proves far more adaptable. “There are different models,” one EU official stated, noting that Brussels always considers a country’s specific circumstances during negotiations. EU representatives emphasized that the bloc holds no official position on re-entry because London has not formally applied for membership.
Public Opinion and Political Divisions over Re-joining the Bloc
Public sentiment in the United Kingdom shows a divided electorate. A YouGov poll conducted earlier in the month shows that 55% of British citizens want to reverse Brexit, while 34% wish to remain outside the European Union. However, polling from Ipsos and cited by The Independent places public support for rejoining at 56%, with backing surging to 73% among young people under 35. When pollsters introduce mandatory adoption of the euro and joining the Schengen area as strict conditions, support drops sharply to 35%, with 43% opposed. Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently stated that Brexit has caused more harm than good and suggested that rejoining the EU could feature in the Labour Party’s electoral platform for future elections. Meanwhile, former Finance Minister Rachel Reeves argued that exiting the bloc made the country poorer, weaker, and less secure.
Common Questions About Future UK-EU Relations
Has the United Kingdom formally applied to rejoin the European Union?
No, the UK government has not submitted a re-application for membership, which leaves the European Union without an official negotiating stance on the matter.
What do British voters think about reversing Brexit?
Polling conducted by YouGov shows that 55% of the public favors reversing the exit, though support drops when respondents are asked about adopting the euro and joining the Schengen area.
When are the next UK parliamentary elections likely to occur?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out pushing for EU re-entry during the current parliamentary term, with the next general election scheduled to take place no later than July 2029.
Former Minister Discusses Previous Election Manifesto and Ties
Ahead of a UK-EU summit scheduled for November 20, former Finance Minister Rachel Reeves noted that she helped draft the previous Labour election manifesto pledging to keep the UK out of the EU, while expressing pride in strengthening ties between London and Brussels. Meanwhile, European officials noted that the bloc has not responded immediately to inquiries, and Eurosceptics have argued that any return could face pressure for integration commitments exceeding pre-Brexit conditions, including opt-outs that London previously rejected.