United Kingdom could face billions in extra annual payments and lose key Brexit opt-outs if it ever tries to rejoin the European Union, according to former EU officials and Brexit negotiators responding to renewed comments from senior Labour politicians.
The debate reignited after Wes Streeting said over the weekend that Britain should eventually return to the EU, reopening one of the country's most divisive political issues nearly a decade after Brexit.
Sir Julian King, Britain's last European commissioner, warned that the UK would likely lose the budget rebate negotiated by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, increasing Britain's yearly EU contributions by at least £5 billion.
"The door's open, but we shouldn't expect any special deal," Sir Julian said.
"That doesn't mean, in practice, adopting the euro, but it would mean renewed free movement across Europe and a significant budget contribution," he added.
Combined with Britain's previous EU payments before Brexit, critics estimate rejoining could cost roughly £24 billion annually, or around £460 million per week.
The comments triggered backlash from Brexit supporters and exposed divisions inside Labour. Labour MP Jonathan Hinder warned reopening the Brexit debate could alienate working-class voters.
"And to suggest the solution now is for us to reopen that debate is just staggering," Hinder said. "The Labour Party is in an existential crisis."
Former EU officials also made clear Britain would not regain the special treatment it once enjoyed inside the bloc, including opt-outs from the euro and Schengen travel zone.
Georg Riekeles, a former adviser to the EU's Brexit taskforce, said: "The price of re-entry would be membership on normal terms."
Sandro Gozi echoed that message, saying, "It is clear that the tailor-made suit is gone."
Despite the warnings, several European officials said EU governments would likely welcome a future British application because of growing geopolitical tensions involving Russia, China and the United States.
