Former EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said it is 'perfectly possible' that the UK could rejoin the European Union while keeping its old opt-outs from the euro and the Schengen travel zone. In an interview, Barnier also described Boris Johnson as 'cynical to get power' and argued that Brexit has exacerbated the UK's economic and immigration problems.
Weekend with Stanley Johnson
Barnier recalled spending a weekend with Boris Johnson's father, Stanley, at a French chateau, where they discussed the former prime minister's motivations for backing Brexit. 'Boris was much more European at the beginning,' Barnier said. 'I don't see it as a motivation but it is, perhaps, a method or attitude: to be pragmatic in some way. Cynical. Cynical to get power.'
No renegotiation for Starmer
Despite suggesting the UK could rejoin with opt-outs, Barnier ruled out any flexibility for Prime Minister Keir Starmer on trade, saying Brussels cannot give 'any argument to the far right in France or elsewhere' by allowing cherry-picking.
Brexit's impact
Barnier said the 'great lie' of Brexit was blaming Brussels for the UK's problems. He noted weak economic growth and a toxic immigration debate, adding that while not all problems are due to Brexit, they are 'more difficult because of Brexit'. He also criticized the UK for leaving instead of using its influence to correct the EU.
Defence cooperation
Barnier is working on a new European Council for Defence and Security that would include the UK, Ukraine, Norway and EU members. He recalled a dinner where Johnson tried to threaten the EU by offering defence cooperation in exchange for a trade deal, but Barnier reminded him he had already ruled that out.
On rejoining the EU, Barnier said the British people will increasingly see that 'we cannot be alone' in a dangerous and unstable world.
