Andy Burnham has reportedly been given a post-Brexit proposal that would see the UK offer to extend its Armed Forces protection and nuclear deterrent across Europe in exchange for rejoining the EU's single market, according to The Telegraph. The plan, drawn up by former Tory MP Nick Boles, matters because it suggests the new prime minister could move away from Sir Keir Starmer's red lines, which had ruled out returning to freedom of movement, the single market or the customs union, potentially reopening the UK's relationship with Brussels.

The proposal calls for a "European Confederation" linking the single market with Nato defence commitments, with Ukraine, Switzerland, Norway and Western Balkan states also invited to join. Britain would need to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence and extend its nuclear umbrella to non-Nato allies not currently covered by Trident, in return for single market access without accepting the euro or freedom of movement; Boles argues this framing, tied to helping solve problems like Ukraine, would be more persuasive to the EU than a purely bilateral UK request. The report has reportedly reached senior officials including national security adviser Jonathan Powell, and comes after minister Hamish Falconer declined to rule out a manifesto commitment to rejoining the EU, though Burnham has said only that he intends to "consolidate" progress made under Starmer.