UK Must Abandon Pound to Rejoin EU, Senior MEP States

A senior Member of the European Parliament has stated that the United Kingdom would need to abandon the pound sterling if it wishes to rejoin the European Union. Sandro Gozi MEP, who represents France in the EU Parliament and is a former Europe minister for Italy, expressed a desire for Britain to become part of a "more integrated" European Union.

However, he stipulated that this would necessitate adherence to the principle of free movement of people, the adoption of the euro, and increased financial contributions to the continent. Gozi described Brexit as a "democratic disaster" and suggested that reversing the 2016 referendum result would be a significant victory over figures like Nigel Farage.

Any accession to the EU would require the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states, and new members are legally obligated to adopt the euro. Anand Menon, a political scientist and director of the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, commented that while the EU would welcome the UK back, they would negotiate terms favorable to themselves.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously voiced his aspiration for the UK to rejoin the EU within his lifetime. However, his pro-EU stance has drawn criticism. Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith stated that the Prime Minister's negotiating position is "hopeless" if he clearly prioritizes EU membership, arguing that the British public would not accept sacrificing the pound, reinstating free movement, or returning control of laws to Brussels.

Gozi indicated that the UK would have to "start from scratch" with new membership terms. He also suggested that many European officials believe the UK should play a more active role in European defense cooperation, even calling for a European fighting force of 100,000 troops, and invited Mr. Burnham to participate in such an initiative. Downing Street declined to comment on these remarks.