Andy Burnham has reportedly been presented with a new post-Brexit proposal which calls for Britain to rejoin the EU’s single market, reports BritPanorama.
The proposal would see Britain promise to extend the protection of Britain’s Armed Forces and nuclear deterrent across Europe in exchange for access to the EU’s free-trade zone.
The prime minister has committed to “consolidate the progress made on the existing UK-EU negotiations” undertaken by Sir Keir Starmer; however, it remains unclear whether he will maintain his predecessor’s red lines, which included no return to freedom of movement and no accession to the single market or customs union.
According to The Telegraph, former Tory MP Nick Boles, who resigned from the party in 2019 over Brexit, has prepared a plan allowing Britain to rejoin the single market.
The strategy, reportedly seen by senior government officials including national security adviser Jonathan Powell, suggests the creation of a “European Confederation” linking the single market with NATO’s defence commitments.
Ukraine, Switzerland, Norway, and Western Balkan countries would also be invited to join this confederation.
As part of the agreement, Britain would need to spend 3.5 percent of its GDP on defence and extend its nuclear umbrella to non-NATO allies currently excluded from its protection.
In exchange, the UK would gain entry to the EU’s free trade zone without accepting terms like freedom of movement or the requirement to adopt the Euro.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Boles stated that a new strategy for defence cooperation with Europe is critical, noting the uncertainty surrounding the United States’ commitment to European defence.
“If we’re trying to do a bilateral negotiation in which we try to persuade the EU to give us access to the single market for goods, we will fail,” he remarked.
He added, “But if we make a proposal that addresses other European concerns, like Ukraine, it could be more palatable. This isn’t merely a British deal; it’s a solution to shared issues.”
Just weeks prior, a government minister did not dismiss the possibility of including a commitment to rejoin the EU in Labour’s next manifesto, indicating that Mr Burnham could aim to reshape Brexit in the next parliament.
Minister for European Relations Hamish Falconer asserted that the government is “not talking about rejoining today,” but highlighted the need for the Labour Party to decide on manifesto commitments.
The prime minister had previously indicated support for the UK rejoining the EU but later clarified that he seeks to avoid a “permanent rut of arguments” stemming from past decisions.
Asked how the new PM will approach Britain’s relationship with the EU following a “reset” initiated by Sir Keir, Mr Falconer noted: “The prior prime minister did significant work to help reset relations, and I wish to consolidate some of that.”
He stated that “the world has changed dramatically” since those discussions began and identified evolving threats from both Eastern Europe and economic security issues.
When asked about calls from former Labour leader Neil Kinnock advocating for Britain to rejoin the EU, Mr Falconer replied that while no decisions had been made, the prime minister’s views reflected a respect for the earlier vote concerning Brexit.
“The world has changed since 2016. We need to adapt our relationship with Europe accordingly. Both Europe and the UK face real challenges,” he added.
Downing Street has been contacted for comment.
The evolving discourse surrounding the UK’s future with Europe suggests a complex interplay of political strategy and public sentiment that will likely define upcoming electoral landscapes.
