UK would need to adopt the euro to rejoin EU, MEP says
French MEP Sandro Gozi says the UK would have to adopt the euro if it rejoined the European Union, alongside accepting free movement and closer defence co-operation. His comments highlight that returning would involve significant conditions and require agreement from all 27 member states.
Gozi, a senior Renew Europe figure, said the UK would have to apply the EU’s rules from scratch and described Brexit as a “democratic disaster”. The article says EU law requires new members to adopt the euro, whereas Britain had an opt-out before leaving. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed a wish for the UK to rejoin in his lifetime; shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith criticised that position, and Anand Menon said the EU would seek the best deal for itself.
- A French MEP says rejoining the EU would mean adopting the euro.
- Free movement and closer defence co-operation would also be expected.
- All 27 EU members would need to approve UK accession.
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The United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020 following the Brexit referendum. Since then, there has been growing political discussion about whether the country might seek to rejoin the bloc.
Sandro Gozi, a senior French MEP, has outlined what rejoining would entail, stating that the UK would have to adopt the euro alongside accepting free movement of people from other EU countries and increased defence ties. Before Brexit, Britain had a special exemption allowing it to keep the pound sterling rather than adopt the euro, but EU law requires new member states to adopt the currency, so this exemption would no longer apply.
These comments highlight the significant changes and barriers to rejoining. Any return to the EU would require approval from all 27 current member states and would mean the UK accepting the conditions that now apply to all members rather than returning to its previous special status.
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The case for
The EU must maintain consistent membership standards to preserve institutional integrity and fairness across all member states. The euro, free movement, and defence cooperation represent core commitments of EU membership, not optional features. Granting the UK special exemptions would undermine the principle that all members accept equal obligations and set a dangerous precedent for others to demand exceptions. If Britain wishes to rejoin, it should accept the same responsibilities any member state undertakes, ensuring a stable and equitable union.
The case against
The EU should prioritise pragmatic flexibility over rigid consistency in considering British reintegration. Whilst substantive alignment matters, simultaneously requiring euro adoption, unrestricted free movement, and full defence integration creates political obstacles that may make rejoin impossible in Britain. The EU has demonstrated capacity for negotiated arrangements with other members; similar flexibility could facilitate stable British participation. The union's strategic interests lie in achieving genuine integration rather than insisting on inflexible conditions that may prove ultimately counterproductive.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “UK must axe the pound if it wants to rejoin the European Union, senior MEP warns”.