A new proposal has surfaced suggesting a potential framework for the United Kingdom to re-enter the European Union’s single market. According to reports, the plan was presented to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a strategic roadmap for post-Brexit relations.

The core of the proposal centers on a reciprocal agreement. In exchange for gaining access to the EU’s free-trade zone, the United Kingdom would offer expanded security guarantees to European partners. Specifically, the plan suggests that Britain would commit to extending the protection of its Armed Forces and its nuclear deterrent to cover broader European interests.

While the report outlines this as a potential pathway for economic reintegration, it remains unclear how much traction this proposal has within the current UK government or among EU leadership. The suggestion of leveraging military and nuclear assets as a bargaining chip for trade access represents a significant shift from the current post-Brexit status quo, which has largely kept security and trade negotiations on separate tracks. As of now, there has been no formal confirmation from Burnham’s office regarding the adoption or promotion of this specific plan, nor has there been an official response from Whitehall or Brussels regarding the viability of such a trade-off.