Macron: ‘Brexit? I’d love to welcome you back’
French President Emmanuel Macron - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
French President Emmanuel Macron believes the UK will get a bespoke deal – but hopes Brexit can be reversed.
Macron said he would 'love' to welcome the UK back into the European Union and insisted the group of member states will become 27 'unhappily'.
Mr Macron said on Thursday that France would not give in to British demands for the financial services sector to be covered by a Brexit trade deal after talks with Theresa May.
In an interview The Andrew Marr Show, he said there is 'a competition between different countries' to attract financial services companies in the future and that France wanted 'to attract the maximum activity'.
Asked if it was inevitable that Britain would leave, he replied: 'I mean, it's on your own. It depends on you. I mean, I do respect this vote, I do regret this vote, and I would love to welcome you again.'
You may also want to watch:
Macron said full access for financial services to the single market 'is not feasible'.
Pressed on whether there would be a bespoke special solution for Britain, he said: 'Sure, but... this special way should be consistent with the preservation of the single market and our collective interests.
Most Read
- 1 The biggest scandal may be that no rules were broken
- 2 A chapter is over for Britain, for good or ill
- 3 The deep-seated issues beneath Sofagate
- 4 Russell Kane: Why working class people like Boris Johnson
- 5 What's the appeal behind Line of Duty?
- 6 Welsh government takes Westminster to court over post-Brexit bill
- 7 BBC journalist admits being 'haunted' by fear broadcaster 'built up' Nigel Farage and UKIP
- 8 The only Brexit export boom is from UK businesses rushing to Europe
- 9 Alan Duncan should have spoken out sooner about Boris Johnson
- 10 Boris Johnson proposes saving United Kingdom with 'Project Love' plan
'And you should understand that you cannot, by definition, have the full access to the single market if you don't tick the box.'
He added: 'So it's something perhaps between this full access and a trade agreement.'
Macron blamed the Brexit vote on those who had lost out due to globalisation and said 'your governments have to take some of the blame'.
Speaking to Andrew Marr after the Macron interview Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: 'I think there is a deal to be had. I understand why President Macron has been fairly hard-nosed about it at this stage.
'But in the negotiations, I think we will see a softening because there will be an increasing recognition of the joint benefits that we get from passporting.
'It would not be the same single market, but would be access to a single market.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
