UK cannot 'cherry pick' EU single market deal, Barnier tells BBC

What the report says

Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, told BBC World News that the UK would not be able to choose only the parts of the EU single market it wanted if it tried to deepen economic ties with Europe. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Barnier said EU members would expect the UK to accept the full set of single-market rules, including the bloc’s four freedoms, rather than a selective or “a la carte” arrangement.

The comments came after Andy Burnham said he wanted to explore closer economic links with Europe and had described rejoining the EU’s internal market as one option for reshaping the UK’s post-Brexit relationship. Barnier said the EU’s door remained open to the UK returning as a member, but said any single-market access would come with the same obligations as other members. He also said the EU would not restore the UK’s former budget rebate, arguing Brexit had changed the context.

BBC World News reported that Barnier’s remarks add to a broader debate over how far the UK should move back toward Europe after leaving the EU nearly six years ago. The issue remains politically sensitive because it is tied to free movement, regulation and wider questions about sovereignty. According to the BBC, both sides are also preparing for talks in Brussels in the coming days on possible agreements covering food standards, youth visas and links between British industry and the EU carbon trading system.