French finance minister Lescure tells UK to "come back, anytime" to the EU

Mixed · 2French finance minister Roland Lescure has invited Britain to "come all the way" back to the EU, in an interview with the BBC. 1 2 Centre · 1He was responding to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who signalled that a second Brexit referendum was "possible" in a future Labour election manifesto. 1 Mixed · 2Asked about Burnham's comments, Lescure said: "British people decided, and that's obviously their 100% right, and if they're willing to come back, they will have to decide. But what I can tell them is: come back, anytime." 1 2

Mixed · 2Lescure said membership comes with some difficulties but lets members better address the challenges facing the world; the Guardian reports he wants Britain back to face emerging global threats together. 1 2 Mixed · 2Last week Burnham said the options were to stay as is, rejoin the customs union or single market, or go "all the way" to full membership, with ministers to examine "what is doable" and the "pros and cons" of each; the Guardian says this followed a Labour conference speech pledging to explore closer ties at a summit later this year. 1 2 Centre · 1Burnham has also warned that planned EU "Made In Europe" rules, which would give firms inside the bloc priority for public contracts and subsidies to protect EU industry from Chinese competitors, would damage UK industry and supply chains. The EU car industry has called for the UK to be included. 1

Mixed · 2Asked about Britain being kept out of the scheme, Lescure said: "Come back, and you'll be at the table, and we discuss all these things together." 1 2 Left · 1The Guardian adds that British government sources warned days earlier that the "EU reset" summit would be delayed again unless the bloc agreed to discuss legislation that could lock British business out of parts of EU industry. It also says Burnham was travelling to Germany to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose government has backed exploring closer links, and that a security cooperation deal on cyber-attacks is expected. 2 Left · 1The Guardian also reports that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Burnham had given him "the biggest boost in my career" by reviving the Brexit debate. Farage dismissed polls showing as much as 59% of the public favour rejoining, saying support would fall once people were told of costs, Schengen and the euro. 2

Centre · 1The BBC interview also covered French domestic matters. Lescure acknowledged that annual public borrowing above 5% of GDP is "alarming", said borrowing is "more expensive" but there is "no issue" issuing debt, and said his budget "will pass" a fractious parliament. He said it would cut health spending and ask pensioners to accept a below-inflation rise. 1 Centre · 1On student protests that have closed more than 500 schools fully or partially as of Wednesday, Lescure said it is a "tough world" for young people and leaders must listen. He promised further investment in education. 1