French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has extended an invitation for the United Kingdom to return to the European Union. The remarks were made in response to suggestions by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who recently raised the possibility of a new referendum to reverse the 2016 Brexit decision.

Lescure’s comments coincide with a broader shift in the current UK government’s approach to European relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to explore closer ties with the EU, with plans for a summit later this year to discuss the future of the UK-Brussels relationship. The Prime Minister has previously stated that Brexit has caused “more harm than good,” signaling a potential pivot toward deeper integration or cooperation with the bloc.

While the French minister’s invitation reflects a willingness among some European officials to welcome the UK back, the current UK government has not officially proposed rejoining the EU. Instead, the administration is focusing on renegotiating trade and security arrangements to mitigate the economic impacts of the UK’s departure. The discourse remains centered on whether the UK should pursue a closer partnership or if the political appetite exists for a full reversal of the Brexit process.