French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the idea after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK could consider rejoining the EU.

LONDON: Andy Burnham put the idea of Britain rejoining the EU on the table Wednesday (Sep 30), breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister and leading French President Emmanuel Macron to declare in English: "Welcome back."

Burnham reopened the divisive Brexit debate by saying his centre-left Labour government could go "all the way" and propose membership of the bloc as one possible way to boost relationships with Europe.

Right-wing rivals immediately criticised the comments, as the UK appeared to be gearing up for a re-run of the bitter "Brexit wars" that dominated politics after the contentious 2016 vote to leave the European Union.

Burnham, premier since July after Labour MPs turfed out Keir Starmer, told his party's annual conference in Manchester on Tuesday that Britain's departure in 2020 had done "more harm than good".

Brexit had triggered "a decade of low growth" and the country must "decide on a long-term relationship" with its largest trading partner, he said.

Burnham promised to set out "different options" closer to a planned summit with the 27-member bloc later this year.

Possibilities that could be looked at included joining the European single market and customs union, "or we could go all the way", Burnham told BBC radio on Wednesday.

"We have to look at what is doable, and what would be the pros and cons of each" option, he added.

Macron, speaking in Madrid after talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, welcomed the idea.

"If the British want to come back and if the prime minister is moving in that direction, I think that is very good news both for his country and for Europeans," Macron said.

Sanchez echoed Macron's comments, saying if the UK asks to rejoin "then of course Spain would applaud it and open its arms again to a brotherly people".

European Commission spokesman Balazs Ujvari said it was for London to chart a way forward.

"We remain open to engaging on the options it may put forward," he said.

Britain's right-wing Conservative party took the country out of the EU after Britons voted to leave by 52 percent to 48 percent.

A poll by Survation in June found that 55 percent of voters would opt to rejoin if a referendum was held again.

"I think Burnham is recognising the widespread view in the country that Brexit has failed," David Henig, an expert on UK-EU relations, told AFP.

Burnham is currently bound by Starmer's 2024 election-winning manifesto which ruled out joining a customs union, going back into the single market or allowing the return of freedom of movement with the EU.

He suggested to broadcaster ITV that if public opinion is "pointing towards" backing re-entry into the bloc, he might commit to another referendum in Labour's next election manifesto.

The next general election is not expected until 2029.