Politics

French Finance Minister Invites UK to Rejoin EU Amid Brexit Debate

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has urged Britain to "come all the way" back to the European Union after Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that a second Brexit referendum could be "possible" in a future Labour election manifesto. Lescure acknowledged that EU membership has its challenges but said it allows members to better address global problems. He told the BBC that the British people have the right to decide and that if they choose to return, they will have to make that decision. "But what I can tell them is: come back, anytime," Lescure added. Burnham recently warned that planned EU rules to support European manufacturers could harm the UK. He expressed concerns about how British industry and supply chains could be affected by the Made In Europe scheme, which prioritises EU companies for public contracts and subsidies to protect EU industry from Chinese competitors. The EU car industry has called for the UK to be included to avoid disruption to its own supply chains. Lescure replied that if Britain re‑joins, it will be at the table to discuss these matters together.

During the interview, Lescure also discussed domestic issues in France, including the student protests that have shut more than 500 schools partially or fully as of Wednesday. He said he understood why young people are anxious and that leaders must listen to them. He acknowledged that France is spending heavily on health and pensions, which limits funds available for education, and said the government will need to rebalance spending. In the upcoming budget, he plans to cut health spending and ask retirees to accept a below‑inflation rise to their pensions next year, while promising further investment in education if necessary.

Lescure highlighted France’s budget deficit, noting that annual public borrowing exceeds 5 % of GDP, which he described as "alarming". He said the government must act now to avoid future pressure. He also said he would work to keep France from needing intervention from the eurozone’s central bank, and that despite higher borrowing costs, there is no issue with issuing debt. He expects the budget to pass a divided French parliament and said there are many ways to ensure that.

The article references Burnham’s comments on a potential second referendum and the UK’s concerns about the EU’s Made In Europe scheme, as well as Lescure’s remarks on French domestic policy and fiscal challenges.