Trade unionist Paul Nowak advocates for the United Kingdom to consider maintaining a “closest possible” economic relationship with the European Union, specifically emphasizing the potential benefits of rejoining or aligning with the EU’s customs union. According to Nowak, this approach could help facilitate smoother trade flows and economic stability, particularly in the context of post-Brexit trade relations. His stance suggests that abandoning the idea of close economic ties might overlook the advantages of integration, especially for sectors heavily reliant on cross-border trade. The discussion underscores ongoing debates within UK political and labor circles about the country’s future economic strategies, with some emphasizing sovereignty and independence, while others highlight the practical benefits of alignment with EU frameworks.