French President Emmanuel Macron has informed Andy Burnham that any attempt by the UK to rejoin the European Union's single market would necessitate the acceptance of free movement, according to Whitehall sources. This warning comes as Burnham, a prominent figure in the Labour party, has proposed exploring closer ties with the EU, including potentially rejoining the bloc.
Reform UK has estimated that reinstating free movement could lead to an increase in immigration of over 200,000 people annually. This projection is based on pre-Brexit figures from 2012 to 2019, a period when EU citizens had the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK. The analysis suggests that immigration from EU countries could surge, particularly from nations like Romania and Bulgaria, potentially reversing recent trends of net negative migration from the continent.
Nigel Farage, a prominent Brexit supporter, criticized Burnham's stance, calling it a "Brexit betrayal." He argued that such a move would effectively "open the borders" and undermine the UK's ability to control who enters the country. Farage expressed concern that Burnham's proposals disregard public anxieties about immigration levels.
The Centre for Migration has also highlighted the potential risks associated with reintroducing free movement rules. The think tank stated that rejoining the EU would likely cause a significant influx of migrants from European countries. They warned that in the absence of labor market reforms, the British government could find itself unable to manage the surge in inward migration.
During a meeting last month, President Macron reportedly made it clear to Burnham that accepting "all four freedoms" – the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people – would be a prerequisite for a closer trading relationship with the EU. Experts have also suggested that rejoining the EU could eventually require the UK to adopt the euro and relinquish the budget rebate negotiated by Margaret Thatcher.
Free movement was a central issue in the 2016 Brexit referendum. However, some current government officials believe that the ongoing increase in non-EU migration is a more pressing concern for the public, while simultaneously acknowledging that rejoining the EU would restore the right for British citizens to live and work within member states.