We can still stay (Picture: EPA)

It may feel like we’ve gone too far to turn back, but the European Commission president has said he would be ‘happy’ for us to rejoin the EU after Brexit.

Jean Claude Juncker said that even after we leave the EU in March 2019, we could apply to rejoin under Article 49 of the Lisbon Treaty – if the Government or the British people want to ‘find a way out’ of Brexit.

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It comes just one day after Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said he was open to a ‘change of heart’ from the UK.

Juncker described Brexit as a ‘catastrophe’ and a ‘lose-lose situation’ for Britain and the EU.




Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, he said: ‘Mr Tusk said that our hand remains outstretched.

‘The British people, the British Government, may wish to find a different way out of the Brexit situation and we are very much willing to deal with them.

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‘We are not throwing the British out, we would like the British to stay, and if they so wish, they should be allowed to do so.

‘In London there was a rather irritated response to this proposal [to stay in the EU], but note that even if the British leave according to Article 50, then Article 49 would allow them to accede agian – and I would be happy to facilitate that.’

And French president Emmanuel Macron joined in, saying that there was still time for the UK to reconsider Brexit.

‘If tomorrow, or the day after, the United Kingdom decided to change its mind, it’s clear that we would look at this with kindness,’ a key aide said on Macron’s behalf.

‘But it’s not up to us if the United Kingdom wants to change its mind.’

Macron said it would be OK if we changed our minds (Picture: EPA)

Juncker and Tusk’s overtures came as a commission paper suggested the EU is toughening its stance on the transition period after the official Brexit date of March 29, 2019.

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A document obtained by Brussels reporters suggests that chief negotiator Michel Barnier wants free movement of people to continue throughout the period, and permanent rights to settle for any EU nationals moving to the UK before the end of 2020.

He is also apparently insisting that the UK will have to seek ‘authorisation’ from Brussels to continue enjoying the benefits of the bloc’s existing trade agreements with non-EU countries.

Brexit is set to happen in March 2019 (Picture: Getty Images)

MPs in the UK are also calling for Brexit to be reversed, with Labour MP Chuka Umuna saying the British people have a right to change their minds.

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Speaking on behalf of the Open Britain campaign for close ties with the EU, Umuna said: ‘Brexit is going to be far more costly and complicated than we were led to believe.

‘The promises made by the Prime Minister last January are today as worthless as a degree certificate from Trump University.

‘In fact, talks on the future relationship with the EU haven’t even begun. She and her shambolic Cabinet cannot even agree what they want.’