Burnham makes his first official visit to Berlin. Security talks with Merz, and a French minister says Britain may 'come all the way back' to the EU
Andy Burnham made his first official visit as prime minister to Berlin on 8 October and was greeted with military honours before talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Downing Street said the two countries will deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and countering sabotage, sharing information and coordinating action to disrupt threats. The visit followed an August drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport that Berlin blames on Russia. The leaders marked the Kensington Treaty, signed by Merz and Starmer in 2025, which covers security, the economy and freedom of movement. Burnham said Britain is open to Germany joining the GCAP fighter programme, which German officials did not confirm. There was no press conference. Government releases announced a UK-Germany tech corridor and £1 billion of German investment for 4,000 affordable homes. France's finance minister said Britain is welcome to rejoin the EU "anytime", reported by the BBC, the Independent and The Times.
Closer ties with Germany and the EU are the central strategic bet of the new government. A prime minister who is open to deeper links with Europe will be tested on the cost of trade barriers, defence procurement and free movement. The French remark shows that Britain's partners are willing to talk about more than the present deals.
Nothing changes for travel or trade today. If the government pursues closer ties, the first visible changes would be on food and farm checks, energy trading and mobility for the young.
A reset with Berlin brings real gains: shared defence projects, investment and security cooperation, and a route to easier trade.
The government is sending mixed signals. Talk of rejoining is premature, and the announcements look like timing for headlines more than a plan.
Watch what is said at home. The Prime Minister has not said he wants to rejoin the EU, and the French remark is an invitation, not an offer. The first test will be a specific change that voters can see, such as an easier food-trade deal, and whether the Conservative pledge to rip up the existing one gains traction.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 4 · Morning · THU., OCT. 8, 2026