The UK could still back out of Brexit and stay in the European Union, a French Minister said on Thursday.
Nathalie Loiseau, the minister for EU affairs told the Today Programme that it was not too late for the UK to reconsider its plans to divorce the EU.
“We have always said, always, that the door would remain open and that we were not the ones who wanted to diverge from the United Kingdom. It was the British people who decided to leave the European Union.” she said.
When questioned on whether the UK could still expect to keep the same terms, Loiseau also commented:
“Sure, of course. [Like] every single member state of the European Union, we have one conviction, which is that the best possible status is being a member, the most profitable status.”
As it stands, the UK is a member of the 28-member bloc, however it is not subject to aspects of the Schenegen Agreement on free movement, the Economic and Monetary Union, as well as holding various exemptions in the area of security and justice.
Loiseau’s comments come more than two years after the UK controversially opted to vote to leave Europe back in June 2016.
Since then, little discernible progress has been made in Brexit negotiations between Brussels and London beyond Theresa May’s 2019 deadline.
Meanwhile, the new Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, is in Brussels today to meet with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator on the issue.
Dominic Raab, who is also the MP for Esher and Walton, replaced David Davis following his resignation in protest of the direction of the government’s Brexit plans.
This comes amid speculation that the government is drafting plans for stockpiling food in the event of a no-deal with the EU regarding important areas such as trade, the single market and immigration.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister May assured that the public should not be concerned.
“Far from being worried about preparations that we are making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the government is saying we are in a negotiation, we are working for a good deal.
“I believe we can get a good deal, but, it’s right that we say – because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be – let’s prepare for every eventuality.”
She continued: “This is not just about stockpiling. That concept, what it is, is about making sure that we will be able to continue to do the things that are necessary once we have left the European Union, if we leave without a deal.”
Whilst David Cameron introduced the 2016 referendum as a means of settling the contentious issue of EU membership, Brexit continues to be one of the most divisive issues in Britain politics.