Taking Britain back into the EU single market would win Andy Burnham the next general election and help him achieve a legacy to rival Tony Blair’s, a former Tory minister turned Labour adviser has claimed, reports BritPanorama.
Nick Boles, who served as a minister in David Cameron’s government before quitting the Conservatives in 2019 over the party’s Brexit stance, has urged the new prime minister to seize the opportunity created by “pretty scary” world events since 2016 to strike a deal with European Union leaders that would protect the continent and offer the UK a much-needed economic boost.
Mr Boles is advocating for the creation of a “European Confederation,” which he suggests would provide some of the benefits of European integration such as single market access and youth mobility, without requiring free movement or membership in the Eurozone.
Under his proposal, reportedly presented to the prime minister, the UK would be invited to join the confederation in exchange for committing to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence and extending the protection of its nuclear umbrella across the continent.
Boles believes that regaining access to the single market would deal a “devastating” blow to the Conservatives and Nigel Farage’s Reform party, potentially ensuring victory for Burnham in the next general election and securing his place in history.
Polling has consistently shown that Britons favour closer ties with the European Union, with YouGov research indicating that 59 per cent of voters support a closer UK-Europe relationship, compared with just 20 per cent who do not.
Regarding the single market, half of Britons support rejoining, while 26 per cent oppose it.
Mr Boles, who assisted Labour in preparing for government, stated: “If [Mr Burnham] sorts out social care and takes us into the single market and [a new] European Confederation, that is a more substantial legacy than anyone in the last few years. It would certainly rival Blair’s.”
He suggested that a new post-Brexit deal could create a strong dividing line with other parties, positioning Labour in a favourable light on a popular side of the argument.
It would allow him to assert, “vote Labour to get back into the European single market…or vote Tory or Reform to stay out in impecunious isolation,” he added.
“It’s a pretty devastating divide. Particularly with public opinion where it currently seems to be with regard to the success or otherwise of Brexit.”
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has also endorsed Mr Boles’ plan as a “practical approach.”
Boles urged Mr Burnham, whose optimism he likened to that of the popular former US President Ronald Reagan, to embrace the opportunity. As a new PM, Burnham is not bound by Sir Keir Starmer’s “reset” of relations with Europe, which has faced criticism for its lack of ambition, he observed.
Of Mr Burnham, Boles remarked: “He refuses to be sort of bowed by… how terrible everything is, how difficult it all is, how everybody before has failed.”
“You sense that he’s a bit of a gambler … he likes to roll the dice.”
“There’s a moment in Europe, whether we take advantage of it or not – they’re all talking about how they’re going to deal with this changed world.”
Boles revealed that “feelers” had been put out from within the Burnham government regarding his recent essay, published by the think tank Demos. “People are interested. People have asked to have conversations,” he said.
He expressed that the new proposal could demonstrate the UK was “humbler” and counter stereotypes of the British as “selfish” while also offering mutual benefits for both sides.
Boles also contended that the political landscape had shifted significantly since the 2016 referendum.
He noted it was “highly unlikely” the UK would have voted to leave the EU if global conditions had been as precarious back then as they are today. “I think it is one of those sad accidents of history that the pressure to have the referendum… came to a head just at the time when it was most likely to win,” he remarked.
A government spokesperson stated: “We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and create more opportunities for working people and communities across Britain.”
The dialogue around potential shifts in policy highlights a moment of introspection for the UK as it navigates complex global challenges and considers its future in relation to Europe.
