UK must axe the pound if it wants to rejoin the European Union, senior MEP warns

DAILYMAIL.COM • 2h ago

By GABRIEL MILLARD-CLOTHIER, POLITICAL REPORTER 00:37 11 Oct 2026, updated 01:34 11 Oct 2026

Brussels would insist on the UK ditching the pound as the price of rejoining the EU, according to a French Eurocrat.

Sandro Gozi MEP last night told The Mail on Sunday he wanted to see Britain as part of a ‘more integrated’ European Union.

But that would mean signing up to free movement of people, an ‘army of Europeans’ and the euro, as well as sending even more money to the continent.

Italian-born Mr Gozi was formerly Italy’s Europe minister and is now a senior figure representing France in Renew Europe in the EU Parliament.

He described Brexit as a ‘democratic disaster’ and claimed reneging on the 2016 referendum would be the ‘biggest victory for us over Nigel Farage’.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his dream is to see the UK ‘rejoin the EU in my lifetime’. But all 27 member countries would have to agree to ‘accession’, while any new members are legally required to adopt the euro.

Anand Menon, political scientist and director of the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, told the MoS: ‘It is absolutely true that the EU would like us back in, but they will seek the best possible deal for themselves in achieving that.’

The PM has already faced a backlash over his pro-EU comments.

Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith told the MoS: ‘By making his prejudices in favour of the EU so clear, the Prime Minister’s negotiating position is already hopeless.

‘If the EU says jump, he says ‘How high?’ He is on an undemocratic fool’s errand. The British people would never forgive the man who sacrificed the pound, ushered in free movement and gave Brussels back control of our laws.’

Politicians on the continent have made it clear the UK would not get the same deal as the one it left.

Mr Gozi said: ‘It will have to start from scratch where we will have to apply our own rules.’

Many Eurocrats believe that the UK should play a greater role in European defence co-operation.

The Spanish PM and the EU defence commissioner have both called for a European fighting force of 100,000 troops.

Mr Gozi called on Mr Burnham to be part of this ‘army of Europeans’. Downing Street declined to comment.

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