Barnier Says UK Could Join Single Market Without EU Membership but Must Accept Four Freedoms

Michel Barnier said on Euronews' programme 12 Minutes With that the United Kingdom can rejoin the single market without rejoining the European Union, provided it respects the four freedoms of goods, services, people and capital. The former EU Brexit negotiator stated that Brexit decided by a sovereign vote ten years ago is done, but the future remains open.

He added that the UK cannot have its cake and eat it when negotiating its future relationship with Brussels.

Barnier noted that rapid re-entry would be possible if the UK avoids crucial divergence from EU standards on food and security before new talks begin. He said the process would take much more time if London creates huge divergence from those norms. He proposed creating a European Council for Defence and Security that would sit alongside existing institutions and remain open to the UK, Norway and Ukraine.

Barnier said the UK and EU have much to do together on defence, security, service cooperation and investment in artificial intelligence and new technologies. The comments come ten years after the UK voted 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the EU. Polling shows a clear majority of the British public now views Brexit as a mistake.

Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister on Monday. European Council President António Costa confirmed earlier this week that a planned 22 July summit on an agrifood agreement, emissions trading and youth mobility scheme has been postponed. Not joining the single market was a key red line for Starmer's Labour government.

Liberal Democrats and pro-EU Labour MPs have urged likely successor Andy Burnham to drop that red line and the one on the customs union.