Michel Barnier, who led the EU delegation during Brexit talks and served briefly as France’s prime minister in 2024, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the United Kingdom cannot cherry‑pick elements of the EU single market. Barnier said the UK would need to adopt the same conditions that other members enjoy, notably the free movement of people, to gain access to the bloc’s internal market.
Prime Minister Andrew Burnham has said that re‑joining the EU’s internal market is one of several options he could pursue as part of a broader reshaping of ties since the UK left the EU nearly six years ago. However, Barnier stressed that there is no “single market à la carte” menu from which the UK could choose only the parts it wants.
“There will be no possibility to have one freedom and not the other,” Barnier said. “The four freedoms are clearly the four conditions to be inside a single market.” He added that any move to re‑join would require the UK to follow the same terms as other members, including compliance with regulations that promote the circulation of goods, services, capital and people.
Burnham has suggested a closer economic relationship with Europe, including the possibility of full membership, but has ruled out major changes before the next election. He has also said he would not re‑establish free movement of people without a referendum, a stance that Downing Street clarified was not an endorsement of the policy at this time.
Both sides are preparing for a Brussels summit in ten days, where they hope to unveil deals on food standards, youth visas and the re‑linking of British industry to the EU’s carbon trading regime. Barnier also warned that EU members would likely reject reinstating the UK’s financial rebate, which had lowered UK contributions during its membership.
In a broader political context, Barnier compared Reform leader Nigel Farage to French politician Marine Le Pen, accusing both of spreading lies such as the £350 million‑per‑week claim that was used during the Vote Leave campaign.
As the UK considers its future relationship with Europe, the EU’s insistence on full adherence to the four freedoms remains a key hurdle. The outcome of the upcoming Brussels summit will be closely watched by both sides as they negotiate the next chapter of UK‑EU ties.
