{
  "id": 11027674,
  "title": "UK PM Burnham reopens divisive debate on rejoining EU",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/uk-pm-burnham-reopens-divisive-debate-on-rejoining-eu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T20:55:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "France 24",
    "slug": "france-24",
    "url": "https://www.france24.com/en/uk-pm-burnham-reopens-divisive-debate-on-rejoining-eu"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested that rejoining the European Union could be an option for the UK's long-term relationship with the bloc. According to France 24, Burnham's comments have reopened the divisive Brexit debate.\n\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have welcomed the idea of the UK rejoining the EU. Macron said \"Welcome back\" and added that it would be \"very good news\" for both the UK and Europe, as reported by DW News and DW English. Sanchez described the UK's decision to leave the EU in 2016 as a \"huge loss\" for both the British population and the European project, and said Spain would \"applaud\" and \"open its arms\" to a returned Britain.\n\nThe European Commission has stated that it is up to the UK government to set out how it wishes to develop its relationship with the EU. According to the New Voice of Ukraine, Burnham reportedly said that rejoining the EU could be among the options his government considers. The South China Morning Post reported that Burnham outlined three options for the UK's relationship with the EU, including rejoining the EU, rejoining the single market, or entering a customs union.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Macron says 'welcome back' after Burnham floats UK return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uk-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:01:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Macron says ‘welcome back’ after Burnham floats UK’s return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uks-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:30:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "France and Spain welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham’s speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/france-and-spain-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after-burnhams-speech",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "REPLAY: France's Macron calls for 'stronger Europe' on Spain trip",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/replay-frances-macron-calls-for-stronger-europe-on-spain-trip",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Olive Press",
        "title": "Spain would welcome Britain back into EU ‘with open arms’, Sanchez says during Macron visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spain-would-welcome-britain-back-into-eu-with-open-arms-sanchez-says",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Andy Burnham says Britain could consider rejoining European Union",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/andy-burnham-says-britain-could-consider-rejoining-european-union",
        "published": "2026-09-30T16:08:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "France's Macron, Spain's Sanchez welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/frances-macron-spains-sanchez-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after",
        "published": "2026-09-30T17:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "British PM Burnham not ruling out going ‘all the way’ and rejoining European Union",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/british-pm-burnham-not-ruling-out-going-all-the-way-and-rejoining",
        "published": "2026-09-30T21:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}