By Fred Byrne and Benjamin Fox

 

STRASBOURG, 23 Oct. - (ANA) - A diverse array of MEPs expressed their enthusiasm for the United Kingdom (UK) ‘correcting the mistake’ of Brexit by rejoining the European Union 10 years after its people narrowly voted to leave.

 

“Trump, Xi and Putin might form a troika of iliberalism standing in defiance of the achievements of liberal democracy”, warned Barry Andrews, an Irish MEP for Renew, saying that the EU should not treat the United Kingdom “like any other third country”.

 

His party ally Sandro Gozi, an Italian MEP, added: “Every option must be on the table, from a special partnership to full EU membership.” 

 

The debate on EU-UK relations in the Strasbourg parliament came a month ahead of a highly-anticipated EU-UK summit in Brussels on 20 November. 

 

Although the UK rejoining the bloc is still a distant prospect, it is back on the agenda because of new prime minister Andy Burnham.

 

Brexit had “done more harm than good”, Burnham told delegates at the Labour party conference in late September, adding that “we will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of the century until we decide on a long-term relationship with what is still our largest market.” 

 

Britain could “go all the way” back into the EU, added Burnham.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/23 October 2026 - - -