- Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator, has suggested the UK could rejoin the European Union in as little as four years.
- Mr Barnier said that rejoining negotiations would be significantly quicker than the withdrawal process due to limited divergence in key areas.
- He warned that Margaret Thatcher's £5 billion annual budget rebate would be off the table and that Britain must accept freedom of movement to return.
- Former Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar also cautioned that the UK would be unlikely to secure its previous budget rebate in any future agreement.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged there are trade-offs in securing a closer relationship with the EU, while suggesting she personally opposes rejoining.
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