Brussels would be flexible on letting Britain stay out of the euro and the Schengen area if it applied to rejoin the European Union, two EU officials familiar with the bloc’s approach have told POLITICO.
Britain would not necessarily have to join the single currency or passport-free zone — a concern held by some British voters — according to the two officials, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about a sensitive matter.
Opening the door for the U.K. to return to the bloc on similar terms would be a serious boost to the prospects of restoring the country’s EU membership, and a rejection of those who have argued it shouldn’t be allowed back in without joining the euro or Schengen.
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Brexit isn’t working — and even suggested rejoining the EU could make it into Labour’s next election manifesto.
But some euroskeptics say a returning Britain would likely be strong-armed into making commitments to European integration that go beyond the membership deal it had before Brexit.
Polling conducted by YouGov earlier this month found that 55% of Brits want to reverse Brexit, with just 34% wanting to remain outside the EU, but the numbers shift significantly if joining the euro single currency and Schengen passport-free area become requirements — with just 35 percent in favor to 43% opposed.
EU officials stress that the union currently has no formal stance on Britain joining as London has not yet applied.