Chartist 280 supplement Wed EU1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 1 - IN

For democratic socialism *Chartist Referendum Special 2016* 50p Stronger in for jobs and rights Labour leader MP puts the case to vote to remain in the EU he people of this country face an historic choice on to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a 23rd June, whether to remain part of the member. European Union, or to leave. The Labour Party is In contrast to four decades ago, the EU of today brings overwhelmingly for staying in because we believe together most of the countries of Europe and has developed the European Union has brought: investment, jobs important employment, environmental and consumer pro- and protection for workers, consumers and the environment, tections. Tand offers the best chance of meeting the challenges we face Britain needs to stay in the EU as the best framework for in the 21st century. trade, manufacturing and cooperation in 21st century In the coming century, we face huge challenges, as a peo- Europe. Tens of billion pounds-worth of investment and mil- ple, as a continent and as a global community. How to deal lions of jobs are linked to our relationship with the EU, the with climate change. How to address the overweening power biggest market in the world. of global corporations and ensure they pay fair taxes. How to EU membership has guaranteed working people vital tackle cyber-crime and terrorism. employment rights, including four How to ensure we trade fairly and weeks’ paid holiday, maternity protect jobs and pay in an era of and paternity leave, protections globalization. How to address the for agency workers and health causes of the huge refugee move- and safety in the workplace. Being ments across the world, and how in the EU has raised Britain’s we adapt to a world where people environmental standards, from everywhere move more frequently beaches to air quality, and pro- to live, work and retire. tected consumers from rip-off Collective international action charges. through the European Union will We also need to make the case clearly be vital to meeting these for reform in Europe – the reform challenges. Britain will be David Cameron’s Government has stronger if we co-operate with our no interest in, but plenty of others neighbours in facing them togeth- across Europe do. That means er. democratic reform to make the As Portugal’s new Socialist EU more accountable to its peo- Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, has said: ‘in the face of all ple. Economic reform to end self-defeating austerity and put these crises around us. We must not divide Europe – we jobs and sustainable growth at the centre of European poli- must strengthen it.’ cy, labour market reform to strengthen and extend workers’ When the last referendum was held in 1975, Europe was rights in a real social Europe and new rights for govern- divided by the Cold War; what later became the EU was a ments and elected authorities to support public enterprise much smaller, purely market-driven arrangement. Over the and halt the pressure to privatise services. years I have been critical of many decisions taken by the EU, So the case I’m making is for ‘Remain - and Reform’ in I remain critical of its shortcomings; from its lack of demo- Europe. cratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregu- Some argue that we need to leave the EU because the late or privatise public services. single market’s rules are driving deregulation and privati- So Europe needs to change. That change can only come sation. They certainly need reform. It was not the EU that from working with our allies in the EU. It’s perfectly possible Continued on page 2 >> Jeremy Corbyn MP EU-IN Frances O’Grady Workers Rights Don Flynn Free Movement Julie Ward MEP Social Justice Anita Pollack Environment Owen Tudor Legal Quagmire Mary Southcott Human Rights Ann Pettifor Hindsight ISSN - 0968 786 ISSUE www.chartist.org.uk Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 2

EDITORIAL Remain and reform together

n historic decision will be made on 23 June. stay and take the fight for an alternative, democratic Labour has come out clearly for remain road to the heart of Europe. This must be the and reform of the European Union. British road as well. Jeremy Corbyn has nailed In this world where global capital can Labour’s colours to the mast move across borders to divide and rule, of internationalism, cooperation and working in stronger regional blocks wAorker’s rights in Europe. to curb and regulate their tax dodg - While the Tory Party tears itself ing and exploitation is the only apart, Labour is mounting an Have approach with a hope of success. independent united campaign to A Brexit could also set the clock secure an in vote. The spectre of no doubts of social progress back years. narrow nationalism, xenophobia Have no doubts that the Tory and fascism is once again stalk - that the Tory opponents of the EU and UKIP ing Europe. Within the EU, opponents of the EU stand for untrammelled capital - ‘warts and all’ and working ism and a much harsher, mean - with socialists and greens and UKIP stand for er, dirtier, inhumane and divid - across the 27 member countries untrammelled ed Britain. Cooperation with our is the best way to combat this European brothers and sisters on menace to our rights and free - capitalism issues from climate change, cyber doms. crime, terrorism, human rights We know there are problems with and economic justice is the interna - the EU, largely the result of the domi - tionalist way. nation of neoliberal free market priva - Vote remain to continue the fight for tisers and a harsh austerity agenda being a democratic Europe. Vote remain for a pursued most viciously in Greece. But the socially just Europe that will tackle corporate Syriza government and left critics are determined to greed and put people before profits. Stronger in for jobs and rights <- continued from page 1

privatised our railways. It was globalised world. Many of us will would be a bonfire of rights that the Conservative Government of study, work or even retire abroad Labour governments secured John Major and many of our rail at some point in our lives. Free within the EU. routes are now run by other movement has created opportuni - There is a strong socialist case European nations’ publicly owned ties for British people. There are for staying in the European rail companies. They haven’t nearly three-quarters of a million Union. Just as there is also a made the mistake of asset strip - British people living in Spain and powerful socialist case for reform ping their own countries. over two million living in the EU and progressive change in The Transatlantic Trade and as a whole. Learning abroad and Europe. Investment Partnership is also a working abroad, increases the By working together across our huge cause for concern, but we opportunities and skills of British continent, we can develop our defeated a similar proposal before people and migration brings bene - economies protect social and in Europe, together when it was fits as well as challenges at home. human rights, tackle climate called the Multilateral Agreement It is EU regulations that, change and clamp down on tax on Investment, back in 1998. underpin many rights at work, dodgers. Labour MEPs are rightly like holiday entitlement, materni - You cannot build a better world opposing the Investor-State ty leave, rights to take breaks and unless you engage with the world, Dispute Mechanism opposing any limits to how many hours we can build allies and deliver change. attempt to enforce privatisation work, and that have helped to Jeremy Corbyn The EU, warts and all, has on our public services, to reduce improve protection for agency MP is leader of proved itself to be a crucial inter - consumer rights, workplace pro - workers. the Labour Party national framework to do that. tections or environmental stan - Just imagine what the Tories That is why I will be am back - dards. would do to workers’ rights here ing Britain to remain in Europe The free market enthusiasts in in Britain if we voted to leave the and I hope you will too. the Leave campaign would put all EU in June. They’d dump rights those protections at risk. Labour on: equal pay, working time, This is an edited version of is building alliances to safeguard annual leave, for agency workers, the Leader’s speech on 14th them. and on maternity pay as fast as April 2016 We live in an increasingly they could get away with it. It 2 CHARTIST Referendum Special 2016 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 3

WORKERS’ RIGHTS

In for social solidarity Frances O’Grady says the way to equality, jobs and workers’ rights lies through the EU

o wonder so many greater economic equality and Other rights at risk include people feel turned off closer cross border cooperation, equal treatment for part-timers, by the EU referen- not less. European membership temps and agency workers to pro- dum campaign. The still retains a distinct social tect the growing precariat; the Leave campaign, dimension which unions fought Working Time Directive, which fronted by Boris Johnson, is fund- for, including protections for has given six million workers Ned by hedge funds and dominated workers, citizens and the environ- more generous holidays – and two by business interests. The ment. million paid holidays for the first Remain campaign, fronted by The TUC's starting point is, time. The key question is this: if David Cameron, is part funded by and must always be, what's in the we left the EU, would a American banks and dominated best interest of workers? First Conservative government that is by business interests. jobs, while I take the warning bashing us with its Trade Union Understandably, some may ask that Brexit could mean three mil- Bill choose to maintain and pro- - what's the difference? This deci- lion jobs being lost with a pinch of tect rights trade unions have won sion is too important to leave to salt, many good jobs depend on from Europe? Not a chance! an old school stitch-up. Post- our membership of the EU. If Third, a new Europe, the choice crash, we know that we face a those jobs were to go, it's clear we face doesn’t have to be in with titanic struggle way beyond that that they would be replaced by Cameron or out with Farage. By being fought out between two old worse ones. Almost half of our staying in, we can fight for a Etonian egos. This is a choice exports go to the EU. Seven in ten Europe with stronger social soli- between a model of extreme of our largest trading partners darity at its heart. We need to inequality, such as the United are in the EU. Half of foreign build popular support to drive an States or Russia on the one hand, direct investment depends on the ambitious vision and practical and the opportunity to rebuild EU. Without access to a market of plan for what Europe should and revitalise the European 400 million people, firms would be deliver for working people in the Union social model on the other. more reluctant to invest in a UK twenty-first century. Unions com- The TUC's conclusion is that outside the EU. The risk to jobs in bine our strength across national we're better off sticking with the high-value manufacturing, like borders to campaign for fairer, Union - so we can change it.No the car industry, is greatest. greener growth and good jobs, trade unionist would argue that Second, rights. Brexit could especially for young people. We the EU is perfect. Over the past mean kissing goodbye to many of want a radical rethink of rights decade, it has pursued an increas- the rights working people take for and protections in the new digital ingly neoliberal agenda of austeri- granted, on which union agree- gig economy. We put economic ty, privatisation and a hire and ments build: rights for pregnant Frances O’Grady democracy centre stage, because - fire labour market. The women and working parents; is General as the crash proved - the old Transatlantic Trade and redundancy consultation which Secretary of the model of shareholder supremacy Investment Partnership (TTIP) gives unions vital time to put for- TUC has failed; the great majority and has become emblematic of sub- ward alternatives; information stronger unions are the best way servience to the interests of and consultation rights which to win fairness at work. So the multinational corporations. give staff more of a say at work; EU does need reform, just not Neither neoliberalism nor nation- health and safety protection David Cameron’s version of it. A alism offer answers to the big which can quite literally be the Brexit poses real threats to work- challenges we face:climate difference between life and death; ers and our communities. I hope change, the rampant greed of the stronger anti-discrimination pro- that when 23 June comes, trade finance sector and the biggest tections which gives women, unionists vote for not just for refugee crisis since the Second black people and others recourse 'remain' but for the belief that World War. These demand against bad bosses and bigots. another Europe is possible. Corbyn on steel and jobs in the EU he Conservative defending our steel industries telling revelation about our Prime Government has blocked together. The actions of the Minister has not been about his action on Chinese steel Conservative Government weak- own tax affairs, but that in 2013 Tdumping. It has cut investment in ened us. The jobs being created he personally intervened with the infrastructure, that would have under this Government are too European Commission President created demand for more steel often low skill, low pay and inse- to undermine an EU drive to and had no procurement strategy cure. If we harnessed Europe’s reveal the beneficiaries of offshore to support British steel. A Labour potential we could be doing far trusts; even now, in the wake of government would have worked more to defend high skill jobs in the Panama Papers, he still won’t with our partners across Europe the steelindustry. Of course the act. On six different occasions to stand up for steel production in Conservatives are loyally commit- since the beginning of last year Britain. The European Union – 28 ted to protecting one British Conservative MEPs have voted countries and 520 million people – industry in Europe - the tax down attempts to take action could have made us stronger, by avoidance industry. The most against tax dodging.” Referendum Special 2016 CHARTIST 3 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 4

EU DEMOS

Getting closer to people Julie Ward MEP on standing up for a Social EU

t is clear that if we would market, and set standards of and develop dialogue to combat like Britain to remain rele- social and environmental protec- fear and prejudice throughout the vant, prosperous, and tions. Ever since it was created, continent. The Left must speak socially progressive in the the EU has consistently raised with a clear, united voice in order 21st century, we must standards, giving workers and cit- to stand up to the waves of xeno- remain part of the EU. However, izens more rights, and greater phobia that we have seen on the Iwe must strive to make the EU equality. This also includes con- rise. stronger, more effective, and crete gains like non-discrimina- Julie Ward is a Socialists, progressives, and bring it closer to its citizens. tion laws, paid holidays, gender Labour MEP for democrats must stand up to give British citizens have been equality, and health and safety at North West humane and compassionate exposed to years of anti-EU sto- work. England answers to the challenges all ries in the tabloid press, with var- The EU has allowed us to Europeans now face together. Let ious myths and outright lies establish a European social model us use this period of campaigning about straightening bananas or of progressive welfare states. If to re-engage with our fellow citi- vacuum cleaner regulation. we want to revive that vision and zens, and tell them the story of Although we did not ask for pursue it, we need a stronger EU. Europe as we see it: a Europe for this referendum, it is an exciting As Europe goes through troubling social justice, a Europe for opportunity to reshape the way times, we need to build solidarity progress, and a Europe for peace. we see Europe, to talk about it, re-fashion our national discourse from one of disgruntlement, to one of solidarity. The type of reforms we need in the EU are not about protections for City bankers, but about how we can bring about greater social justice and inclusion, with a stronger connection between the EU and its citizens, and the developing world.

Enormous benefit

The enormous economic and political benefits to the UK from EU membership – the millions of jobs, and billions of pounds of rev- enue from trade with the EU, our place at the table at international negotiations and our ability to tackle such pressing global issues –are indisputable. But what about a more social EU? We need to be reminded that the European Union is a project of peace. It has brought about an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity after hundreds of years of bloody wars. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the European Union managed to bring the Eastern bloc dictatorships into the fold of democratic nations. Europe has created a space where values of human rights, democracy, and social justice are fought for and protected. Indeed, I spend much of my time working on human rights cases. The Tories like to think of the EU in terms of a common market. In fact, the reason the most neo- liberal Conservatives are anti-EU is because it sets limits to the 4 CHARTIST Referendum Special 2016 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 5

ENVIRONMENT

Nature needs the EU too Anita Pollack on the environmental case for the EU here are plenty of good ernments show they would not Accord we can only do it through reasons for staying in attain such high standards with- organisations like the European the EU, but environ- out EU pressure. As Mary Creagh Union. European co-operation mental protection is MP, chair of the House of played a key role in securing the high on the list. The Commons Environment Audit Paris deal. Alan Johnson MP, old cliché that environment Committee points out: ‘Anyone leading Labour’s campaign for the Tknows no borders remains true. who thinks the environment will UK to stay in Europe, points out The best way of meeting today’s be better off if we left the EU that ‘if you look at where all the multiple environmental chal- should take a long hard look at Anita Pollack is a climate change deniers are, large- lenges is by co-operating with our the Tory record’. And if we leave, former Labour ly... they’re in the Out campaign’. near neighbours. What better way we will still need to implement MEP. Her latest Policies such as the Birds and to do that than as part of the EU? EU environment law but without book is “New Habitats Directive have protected Whether it concerns water, air or a seat at the table and a vote in Labour in Europe: our natural environment for waste, EU legislation leads to decisions. Why should we walk Leadership and years. More technical legislative improvements in standards and away from this? Lost initiatives from the EU dealing protection that affect you and me Europe remains a huge force Opportunities” with large combustion plants, air and the birds and bees at the for environmental protection. If pollution and pesticides, protect local level. we are serious about implement- our health. Bathing and drinking Records of Conservative gov- ing the Paris Climate Change water directives do both. Without EU standards on recycling and renewables Britain would be lag- ging behind in our commitment to renewable energy. The RSPB, one of Britain’s largest and most respected envi- ronment organisations, has no doubt that being in the EU is ben- eficial. They say that climate change is an obvious policy where EU co-operation has led to agree- ments, but also that we can only manage our alien species, fish stocks, air quality, carbon emis- sions, biodiversity and much more by actively engaging with the countries around us and setting out the frameworks that we can all work towards. We would, however, be delud- ing ourselves if we were to sug- gest that all is perfect in EU-land. Noxious air emissions, over-use of pesticides, lack of progress in banning both neonicotinoids that are killing bees and endocrine dis- rupting chemicals, compliance with the Paris Accord on climate change, how best to advance the UN Sustainable Development goals for 2030: these and plenty of other problems all demand a bet- ter vision for the European envi- ronment. This is something the Left should be promoting. We should remember that the EU Council and Parliament currently have a right-wing majority. This needs to change if we want to see real progress in the future. But progressives need to engage with- in the EU, not criticise it from the outside. www.anitapollack.eu

Referendum Special 2016 CHARTIST 5 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 6

BREXIT THREATS

Total reversal of workers’ rights? Owen Tudor reports on Michael Ford QC s opinion about the risks of Brexit n independent legal could pick and choose which EU er protections, workers would no opinion, commissioned rights to dilute or scrap. This longer be able to seek redress by the TUC, warns of would create long-term uncer- from the European Court of years of uncertainty tainty and confusion for both Justice (ECJ). for workers and employers and workers; it could The ECJ’s rulings make sure employers if the UK votes to leave result in workers losing many all workers can benefit from EU- theA European Union. It lists the hard-won rights at work. guaranteed workers’rights. A rights that would be most at risk Michael Ford QC’ s legal opin- notable ECJ ruling in 1982 of being diluted or scrapped after ion states: “All the social rights in extended equal pay rules to Brexit, and it considers the mech- employment currently required include equal pay for work of anisms for disapplying EU work- by EU law would be potentially equal value, benefitting millions place laws in the UK. vulnerable”. He lists those rights of women workers. Michael Ford QC’s legal opin- that he believes are most at risk Michael Ford QC notes that if ion says that the process would post Brexit from a government the government opposes a deci- not be quick or easy, noting with a deregulatory agenda. They sion of a domestic court, it can “there is no precedent for the kind include rights to properly-paid change the law, adding: “I very of radical overhaul of laws which holidays, protections for agency much doubt, for example, that the would potentially flow from workers, health and safety pro- government would have stood by Brexit”. He says that simply tections, protections from some had the domestic courts inter- repealing the European forms of employer discrimination preted equal pay laws in the way Communities Act 1972, as some –such as compensation rates, the ECJ has done.” In the opin- Brexit supporters appear to advo- protections for pregnant workers ion, Michael Ford QC further cate, is an “almost unimaginable” and older workers. Owen Tudor is comments that "It is easy to con- course of action, which would lead The legal opinion also notes TUC Head of EU template a complete reversal of to “legal and commercial chaos”. that, regardless of whether the and International the gradual increase in social reg- More likely is a lengthy transi- UK government was to choose to Relations ulation protecting workers which tion in which the government retain any EU-guaranteed work- has taken place since the 1960s". EU umbrella for peace Mary Southcott on the positives for ‘Remain’ and why she dreads ‘Leave’ ll the things I care the EU in 2004. The EU umbrella and indigenous people) eco- about, peace, partici- already provides a unifying factor nomic and social rights. pation, civil society, in terms of trade, product quality, Remember your favourite democracy, women, environment, dare I say the Euro things about this country. diversity, environ- as a common currency? The pro- Recognise we share these with ment and human rights are why I cess of completing chapters to the rest of the EU, and ask amA asking everyone I know to gain entry to the EU is not only yourself do we want England vote Remain on 23 June. We need about economic liberalisation but inevitably, not the UK only, to to develop progressive transna- about the environment, human go it alone? tional links to deal with institu- rights, the rule of law, freedom of This will surely follow Brexit tions which are bigger than speech, values we share with the which could put the delicate nation states. This fake rest of the EU. peace in Northern Ireland at sovereignty Outers offer is like The European Court of Human risk. Human Rights and links virginity, never productive. On Rights relates to the Council of between universities, coopera- peacemaking, the investment Europe so has nothing to do with tion between researchers, from the EU in Northern Ireland the current referendum. However exchanges for young people, and Cyprus has helped women to there is now a Charter of work opportunities, parental influence the peace process, Fundamental Rights the EU leave, working rights, holidays, directly and through civil society. adopted in December 2000. The clean beaches, mobile roaming, The EU was the necessary Instrument for Democracy and Mary Southcott is reduction in air pollution, recy- umbrella which allowed Ireland Human Rights enables the EU to coordinator cling and a culture of coopera- and UK to support the NI peace support and export democracy, Friends of Cyprus tion, learning from best prac- process. Although difficult surely better than bombing? This and a member of tice rather than a relentless because of the EU refugee deal emphasises: the role of civil the Chartist EB race to the bottom being played with Turkey, the United Nations society, cooperation between civil off against each other by unac- Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen society,local authorities and state countable multinationals. Barth Eide, a Norwegian Social institutions, vulnerable groups Conflict resolution, democracy, Democrat,has argued that the (national, ethnic, religious and diversity and human rights are new positive aspect to a Cyprus linguistic minorities, women, les- my bottom line. settlement this year is the entry bian, gay, bisexual, transgender of the whole island of Cyprus into and inter-sex persons (LGBTI) 6 CHARTIST Referendum Special 2016 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 7

False promise on migration Don Flynn explains why Brexit will not secure borders against immigration

he Brexit camp will be water-tight for countries outside the very modest wages which proclaiming one argu- this arrangement. In the United workers are forced to endure in ment louder than all States the migrant population much poorer countries than the the others during the makes up the same 13% as we UK. final few weeks of the have in the UK. A whopping 20% A Britain outside the EU will referendum campaign: a vote to of Canadians are immigrants, have no greater capacity to resist Tleave the EU is the only way that and for the Australians this fig- the demands of its transnationals the UK will secure its borders ure rises even higher to 28% of all to have access to sources of low against mass immigration. As a its people. cost labour than it has at present. message it has the advantage of The fact is that there is some- It is the mobility of capital rather being crisp and concise. But it thing about the modern world than people which is playing the falls short of being realistic which has been driving migration major part in pegging wage because it fails to take into across all developed countries growth to historically low levels. account the obvious fact that lev- during the past 20 years and will So, what should we do about els of migration are rising across continue to do so in the future. It migration? One positive thing all countries which have been is called globalisation and there would be to declare our solidarity closely integrated into free mar- is no escaping from it by going for with those who have been com- ket capitalism right across the Brexit. Through the medium of pelled to leave their homes and world. globalisation, transnational com- families to take the chances of a Set against the spectrum of panies, of which the UK has more life that risks exploitation and developed industrial countries than its fair share, are involved marginality. Migrants are not the which trade in global markets the in a scramble to get access to the cause of the bad things that have UK’s migrant population – about labour markets of the world. Don Flynn is happened to people in Britain 13% of its total – puts it firmly in With six out of every seven of Director, Migrant during the dreadful years of aus- a middle range alongside nations the planet’s 800 million wage Rights Network terity. like France (12%), Germany earners living in low- and medi- But if Labour and the working (13%), Belgium (16%) and um earning countries, and with class movement can finds its way Sweden (16%).* Yes, these are the advent of outsourcing and to including them in the struggle all EU states, but being outside supply chains that span the for rights and a return to social the free movement regime hardly globe, this means that the rate progress, then they might just be seems to make borders more for the job is increasingly set by the best recruits we can hope for. *All statistics from OECD International Migration Outlook 2015 In to transform Europe - a Guardian letter e are going to vote owned and accountable. We know JOHN MCDONNELL MP for Europe, to too that none of this will be easy. MP change Europe. But there is no choice. CLIVE LEWIS MP We are tired of the Sovereignty has long escaped LISA NANDY MP companies that national borders and is never EMILY THORNBERRY MP abuse their global status to avoid coming back. As tough as it is, we CAT SMITH MP Wtheir tax responsibilities or to have to create a trans-national STEVE ROTHERAM MP play one nation’s workers or gov- democratic political and economic JONATHAN REYNOLDS MP ernments off against others. We union. It is the only hope the left CHRIS BRYANT MP want international rules to clamp has. If the EU didn’t exist we RACHAEL MASKELL MP down on climate change. And we would build it now –different and REBECCA LONG-BAILEY MP demand humane ways to deal better, yes – but we would still JO STEVENS MP with the growing numbers of build it. RICHARD BURDEN MP migrants and a rebalancing of This is not Cameron’s or the PETER DOWD MP wealth, income and opportunity Tories’ Europe. This is a Europe CHRIS MATTESON MP across the whole of Europe inspired by the social and demo- JUSTIN MADDERS MP through new solidarity funds that cratic values of Labour. This is a RICHARD HOWITT MEP move as people move. unique moment in which the fate LUCY ANDERSON MEP We know we must stay in of Britain and Europe will be This letter signed BARONESS OONA KING Europe if we are ever to get a sealed. The Labour party, Labour by Labour BARONESS JOAN BAKEWELL financial transaction tax; if we members and supporters will be members of the BARONESS MASSEY are to develop a progressive alter- critical. The choice is not exit or PLP was first BARONESS LISTER native to TTIP that levels social surrender but how we transform published in the BARONESS HILTON and environmental protections Europe. Working with social Guardian BARONESS WARWICK up, not down; and if we are to democrats across thecontinent, newspaper on 17 AND OTHERS build the public platforms for victory on 23 June, if we achieve April 2016 renewable energy, and even new it, is just the starting point for the media platforms that are publicly Europe we want. Referendum Special 2016 CHARTIST 7 Chartist 280 supplement Wed 1300.qxp_01 cover 27/04/2016 15:29 Page 8

ECONOMIC ADVISOR’S VIEW Why I’m voting to ‘Remain’

Ann ack in 1975 I did not instead of economies converging There is second reason for vot- Pettifor just oppose member- across the Eurozone, they are ing to Remain. Britain is heavily ship of the EU, I diverging. The situation is of responsible for the market funda- sees an actively campaigned course exacerbated by the EU’s mentalism entrenched in the against it. In the 'free' market principles for the European Treaties. Our politi- unravelling 1990s I strongly opposed untrammelled and unmanaged cians and civil servants had a big BBritain's membership of the movement of capital, trade and hand in drafting these Treaties, of the EU Exchange Rate Mechanism labour, alongside the commodifi- and in introducing European leg- (ERM). My opposition to the cation of land and labour. These islation for enforcing what are in as a huge Labour leadership's support for liberal finance principles have effect Anglo-American policies for threat to ERM helped ensure that I did not triggered popular resistance, and deregulation, privatisation and get chosen as Parliamentary caused voters to go in search of a labour market 'reforms'. It was European candidate at the time. I won a 'strong man or woman' that will Lord Cockfield (under the modest six votes at a General protect the populations of Europe Thatcher Government) who led democracy Committee Meeting that in 1991 from the ravages of market fun- the drive for the single market selected the next MP for Dulwich damentalism. Hence the rise of including ‘freedom’ for financial and peace and West Norwood! (While I was right-wing and fascist parties in services and capital, and it was a to be vindicated by Britain's evic- for example, France, Hungary British civil servant who presided tion from the ERM in September and Greece. Right-wing populism over the creation of the Euro - 1992, that was no com- even though we chose fort because Labour, not to be a member of having backed the the Eurozone. Europe's ERM, was unable to social welfare model capitalize on the huge has been severely political damage strained by Anglo- caused to the American policies for Ann Pettifor is a Conservatives by the de-regulation, privati- member of the Black Wednesday fias- sation and 'structural' Labour Party’s co.) Finally, I am firmly changes to labour mar- Economic opposed to the way in kets, now alas more Advisory which European widely shared within Committee and Treaties (signed by the EU. Our responsi- Director: Policy Labour as well as bility for such policies Research in Conservative govern- requires that we act Macroeconomics ments) have embedded Time for the political wind to blow from the left responsibly in helping (PRIME) market fundamentalist to get them reversed. economic policies into quasi-con- - a reaction to, and movement We cannot now turn our backs on stitutional law. No doubt this is against market fundamentalism - a European economic model that because the authorities are now poses a real threat to conforms so closely to British eco- aware that policies for austerity, European democracy, and to nomic policies. The social demo- privatisation and the financial- European peace and stability. If cratic parties, in particular, need isation of European economies the UK votes to leave now, this to change tack, to promote poli- would be fiercely resisted by the will encourage those who seek the cies that challenge the neoliberal people of Europe, and so had to fragmentation of Europe based consensus. This is our task in the be buried like concrete, in not on progressive economic and coming years. Treaties. social policies, but on their very My third reason is domestic – Subscribe toSo CHARTIST why then, am Iat voting to opposite. This is therefore not the with honourable exceptions, the Remain? The reasons are three- moment for the people of Britain move to Brexit is led by the most fold and are essentially political to trigger the break-up of the reactionary forces in Britain such www.chartist.org.ukrather than economic. European Union. The last time as climate change denier Lord First and foremost, the polit- European tensions spilt over into Lawson –and it is they who would ical situation in Europe has divisions, open confrontation and reap the benefits of an ‘out vote. changed –and the conti- war, sixty million people died They stand for market fundamen- 6 issues a year nent is now on the (including twenty million talism, not for the more progres- brink of fracturing. Russians). Britain could not stand sive EU we seek. The EU’s gains Market fundamen- aloof from that war, and it will on social and labour standards, talism is divid- not be able to stand aloof from on environmental protection and ing the people any future disruption to climate change –themselves at of Europe, European peace. risk –would be dismantled. I a n d I am not prepared to be party agree with Jeremy Corbyn –we to such disruption at such a tense should unite to vote to Remain, time in European political histo- but for the opposite reasons from ry. I am not prepared to risk those of David Cameron and sending my children or grandchil- George Osborne. dren to another European war.