UK bid to rejoin EU likely to be welcomed by France, say experts

France would be likely to welcome a British bid to rejoin the European Union, French experts have told The Connexion – although negotiating the terms of a return could prove challenging.

Their assessment echoes President Emmanuel Macron’s “welcome back” reply to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham opening the door to rejoining. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has also urged Britain to “come all the way back”.

A return, though unlikely in the short term, would have major implications for Britons living in France or owning second homes here, restoring freedom of movement and removing the 90-day limit on visits, depending on the model that is agreed. 

The next significant opportunity to clarify Britain’s ambitions will be at the second UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20.

Christian Lequesne, professor of political science at Sciences Po, one of the EU’s leading universities for politics, said a return would be welcomed. It would bring closer defence cooperation and help restore a balance with Germany within the EU, he explained.

He doubted any EU country would oppose British accession on principle, although some might seek concessions, particularly on fishing. 

“On the whole, everyone has viewed Brexit with regret,” he said.

He suggested negotiations could take six months to a year if the political will was there.

Cambridge EU law professor Catherine Barnard warned that rejoining would require fresh terms, agreement by all 27 EU states, and national ratifications, potentially including a referendum in France. 

“I don’t see any mainstream French government being against the UK rejoining.” However, Britain should not expect to regain its former exemptions automatically, said Pauline Schnapper, professor of contemporary British studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle university.

Britain could 'go all the way'

The renewed debate follows Mr Burnham’s declaration at Labour’s September conference that Brexit has done “more harm than good”. 

He later said Britain could “go all the way” back into the EU, while also considering a customs union or single-market participation.

For readers, single market membership would bring restored freedom of movement, making it easier to move to France, work here and spend extended periods in the country. It would also allow onward freedom of movement to other EU countries.

Full EU membership would in addition restore EU citizenship, including the right for Britons in France to vote in municipal and EU elections.

In the EU, or just the single market, British second-home owners could visit without the 90/180-day limit, or visas for longer stays. British visitors would be able to use EU passport lanes and would fall outside the EES and ETIAS border systems.

Click the links below for more detailed interviews with these and other experts:

"It's such a relief to hear Burnham talking this way" – Alice Bouilliez of EU Britizens and Christopher Chantrey of British Community Committee of France tell of Brexit's impacts on UK citizens and look forward to being able to vote in a future referendum.

"The UK returning to the EU would change everything for French people in the UK" – Olivier Cadic, senator for French people abroad, gives the picture from the other side of the Channel.

"France would favour a gradual return to the EU" – Christian Lequesne, political science professor at prestigious French politics university Sciences Po, sees EEA membership as an attractive first step. 

“It is the first time in ten years that a prime minister opens the door, or at least leaves it ajar, on the possibility of either rejoining, or joining the single market or the customs union” – The professor of contemporary British studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle university, Pauline Schnapper, says Andy Burnham opening debate on rejoining the EU represents a significant break but it is uncertain the EU would offer the same terms as before.

“I have always said that there will be a really long tail to Brexit" – Michaela Benson, recently appointed Professor of Sociology at Cambridge University, tells how Brexit deprived Britons of opportunities to live, work and study across Europe.

“What changes now is that Burnham says all options are on the table" – Sébastien Maillard, think tank expert for the Jacques Delors Institute and Chatham House, believes the UK could rejoin the EU in the next decade and hopes November's EU/UK summit will "set new horizons".

“I’ve told my students not to hold their breath waiting for us to rejoin because there are so many bumps in the road" – Catherine Barnard, professor of European law at Cambridge University looks at the steps required before the UK could rejoin and considers the different options.