UK will rejoin EU within 15 years, says ex-Brussels chief
The Independent|October 26, 2024
Britain will rejoin the European Union within 15 years, a former European Commission chief has predicted.
MILLIE COOKE
UK will rejoin EU within 15 years, says ex-Brussels chief

Speaking about the UK's decision to leave the EU at the UCL Centre for Finance, Romano Prodi - who served as president of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004 said: "I'm betting that in 15 years the UK will come back."

His optimism for Britain to rejoin the bloc is not matched by Jean-Claude Juncker, another former European Commission chief, who in July suggested it would take "a century or two".

Speaking to Politico, he said: "When you leave a boat, you can't get back on the same boat." Sir Keir Starmer has previously insisted the UK will not rejoin the EU within his lifetime. "I've been really clear about not rejoining the EU, the single market or the customs union [allowing a] return to freedom of movement," he said.

Denne historien er fra October 26, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 26, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE INDEPENDENTSe alt
The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas
The Independent

The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas

Emilia Perez controversy fails to overshadow the event

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks
The Independent

Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks

A senior White House team is heading to Saudi Arabia ahead of possible peace talks on Ukraine amid consternation that the country is being left out of negotiations over its own future.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss
The Independent

'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss

A retired head of nursing at Lucy Letby's hospital has said the convicted killer is innocent, describing meetings with the nurse who \"cried in my arms\".

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine
The Independent

Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is willing to put British troops \"in harm's way\" on the ground in Ukraine to face down Vladimir Putin's forces.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine
The Independent

Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about his recent phone call with Donald Trump and his stance on a possible peace agreement with Russia during an interview on US television yesterday.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'
The Independent

'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'

Amani Ahmed left Gaza as war broke out and was apart from family for months. She tells Alex Croft about life in the UK

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'
The Independent

'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'

Leroy Douglas begs for freedom, describing his indefinite term as 'cripplingly cruel' as he nears 20 years behind bars

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025
FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history
The Independent

FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history

The FBI and US Department of Justice have agreed to help UK police investigate Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.

time-read
1 min  |
February 17, 2025
'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'
The Independent

'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'

Former Man United star Jesse Lingard tells Miguel Delaney about leaving his boyhood club, ‘what might have been’ with England, and how life at FC Seoul has revitalised his career

time-read
5 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash
The Independent

Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash

Towards the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, with the game still in the balance, both Brennan Johnson and Patrick Dorgu lost theirs.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025