Spain would “welcome the Britain back into the EU” the Spanish Prime Minister has told Sir Sadiq Khan.
The Mayor of London met with Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday to discuss cooperation between the nation and the capital.
A source close to Sir Sadiq said it was “was incredibly powerful” to hear that Spain would be happy to see the UK back into the EU after Brexit did “real damage to London”.
“Sadiq has said it before and he’ll say it again — Brexit has done real damage to London and is costing Londoners, day in, day out, economically, socially and culturally,” they said.
“Hearing directly from Prime Minister Sánchez that Spain would welcome the UK back into the EU was incredibly powerful. Europe needs us and we need Europe.
“Today’s meeting was about London and Spain standing together — and sending a clear message that progressive, open, internationalist politics isn’t going anywhere.”
The leaders, who have been loud critics of US President Donald Trump, also discussed the rise of populist politics across Europe.
Socialist Mr Sánchez has recently announced a migrant amnesty in his country, which will see hundreds of thousands of black-market workers become taxpayers in a bid to boost growth.
But the policy has been criticised by the Conservative-dominated EU, which wants to crack down on illegal migration.
“Sadiq has real admiration for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and observed in the meeting today that you know people by the ideals they defend,” the source close to the Mayor added.
“The Spanish PM has been prepared to call things out — on Gaza and on the direction of travel in global politics — when plenty of other leaders have kept their heads down.
“What’s happening in the world right now is deeply worrying, with the fanning of division and attacks on democratic norms. Both London and Spain have stood strong and refused to go along with it. Sadiq and Prime Minister Sánchez were clear about that.”
Sir Sadiq has put himself at the helm of calls for the UK to ditch Brexit and fully rebuild ties with the European bloc.
Last month he tore into the “humongous” damage wreaked on the UK from splintering away from the EU and argued that London’s economy is £30 billion smaller than if Britain had voted against Brexit.
