This essay makes the case for a new deal for Britain’s relationship with Europe and Ukraine. Its author, Nick Boles, was the Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford from 2010-2019 and a minister for planning and then skills in the coalition government. Together with the deputy leader of the Labour Party, Lucy Powell, Nick campaigned in Parliament for a ‘soft Brexit’ that would have seen Britain join Norway in the European Economic Area when it left the European Union.
Nick argues that Britain’s postwar strategy – resting on NATO and European integration – is unravelling as America pivots toward containing China and grows impatient with European allies. He contends that Britain, Ukraine and Europe must urgently forge a New Deal rather than muddle through with piecemeal fixes.
Central to his vision is transforming the existing European Political Community into a new “European Confederation” – a treaty-based body distinct from the EU, open to EU and non-EU states alike. It would offer participation in the Single Market for goods, a shared technology and innovation space, an expansive youth opportunity scheme, alongside NATO-style mutual defence guarantees (mirroring Nato’s Articles 4 and 5), without requiring free movement, Schengen membership, or Eurozone entry.
Boles stresses building durable public consent and deeper legitimacy through public deliberation including a citizens’ assembly before any UK government seeks a mandate via a general election manifesto, rather than a referendum.
This essay is being published at a point where the debate about the future shape of Europe appears to have ground to a halt, but the need for international collaboration is changing and demanding new answers. We hope it acts as a stimulus for wider thinking about new ways for us to look outwards as a country, in order to build security and prosperity in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.