He also called Brexit “nonsense” and a “lose-lose game” for the U.K. and the EU.
However, Barnier is also firmly of the belief that Britain cannot pick and choose EU benefits and must move closer to the trading bloc, on areas like regulatory alignment, to enjoy a closer economic relationship.
Former Tory MP Bill Cash said Starmer “is a loose cannon on the European issue” and predicted that the new prime minister would “be able to work with Barnier — but not in the [British] national interest.”
“If Macron wants that and I think he will, he wants Britain closer to the EU, that’s what Barnier will do,” he said.
Starmer’s spokesperson on Thursday congratulated Barnier on his appointment— and sounded unperturbed by perceptions the ex-Brexit negotiator’s tough profile could disadvantage the U.K. “France has long been one of our closest allies. We work closely with them, that will continue,” the spokesperson said.
Sébastien Maillard, an associate fellow at the Chatham House foreign policy think tank, pointed out that Barnier’s main concerns in his new role would be of a more domestic nature.
