Proposal for a 'European Confederation' presented to new UK prime minister Andy Burnham
The scheme ties UK access to the EU single market for goods to defence commitments and an expanded security role for Ukraine and other partners.
A blueprint for a so-called "European Confederation" has been handed to the new British prime minister, Andy Burnham, proposing a new legal arrangement that would let the UK rejoin the EU single market for goods while stopping short of accepting free movement or eurozone membership.
Plan links market access to defence pledges
The proposal was drafted by Nick Boles, a former Conservative MP who left the party in 2019 and later assisted preparations for Sir Keir Starmer's incoming government. It has been circulated to senior UK officials, including Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser.
Under the plan, countries such as Ukraine, Switzerland, Norway and states from the Western Balkans would be invited to join the confederation. In return for access to the EU goods market, the UK would commit to spending 3.5 percent of its GDP on defence and to extend its nuclear umbrella over allies that are not covered by the current Trident arrangements.
The proposal includes specific expectations of Ukraine: as a member it would pledge to keep a large military force as the principal bulwark against any future Russian invasion and would share drone technologies with the rest of Europe.
Explaining the rationale, Boles told reporters that Europe needs a fresh approach because there is no certainty that a future US president "will defend Europe as if it were Kansas." He added: "If we try to conduct bilateral negotiations in which we attempt to persuade the EU to allow us access to the single market for goods, we will fail. But if we offer a proposal that solves other problems they have, such as Ukraine... that is the opportunity where the sell might be easier. We can explain that this is not just a selfish British deal, but a deal you can use to solve other problems yourselves."
Downing Street has since confirmed that Prime Minister Burnham has discussed Ukraine with German politician Friedrich Merz as the new government seeks to refine its European strategy.
Photo: EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
