Sandro Gozi MEP last night told The Mail on Sunday he wanted to see Britain as part of a ‘more integrated’ European Union.

But that would mean signing up to free movement of people, an ‘army of Europeans’ and the euro, as well as sending even more money to the continent.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his dream is to see the UK ‘rejoin the EU in my lifetime’. But all 27 member countries would have to agree to ‘accession’, while any new members are legally required to adopt the euro.

Anand Menon, political scientist and director of the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, told the MoS: ‘It is absolutely true that the EU would like us back in, but they will seek the best possible deal for themselves in achieving that.’

Read more: UK must axe the pound if it wants to rejoin the European Union, senior MEP warns