For a People’s Brexit

By Theo Russell

Rob Griffiths makes a point

Although the majority of voters opted to leave the European Union (EU) in last year’s referendum it’s by no means a done deal, with the Tories deeply divided over the issue and the majority of Labour’s MPs openly ‘Remainers’ regardless of what the Corbyn leadership may say.

This was the central theme of a meeting at London’s Conway Hall held by the Communist Party of Britain’s (CPB) London District last week. The speakers included CPB leader Rob Griffiths, Luton Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins and Lindsey German from the Stop the War campaign, as well as union officials from Unite and the RMT.

Kevin Hopkins, the co-chair of Labour Leave, pointed out that in the past the majority of the labour movement opposed the then Common Market. He said: “The EU is about transferring power from state governments to the European Commission, not to the European Parliament. Its aims are to liberalise, marketise and privatise.”

Hopkins quoted Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the EU, who was never actually elected to public office, saying in 1952: “Europe’s nations should be guided towards the superstate without their people understanding what is happening.”

Rob Griffiths said: “Jeremy Corbyn has pointed out that many Labour policies are not compatible with continued membership of the EU. The only solution is to get out with no enormous divorce bill, no EU rules and no European Defence Policy.

“The Communist Party will be holding discussions with the Labour Party, trade unions and its allies to push for this. There are many working class activists, trade unionists, and communists who want to get out of the EU, a big business, fortress Europe imperialist capitalist club.”

For her part Lindsey German said that Brexit voters were victims of naked class prejudice, widely branded as ignorant, working class Sun readers, and that the campaign to reverse Brexit was aimed at weakening Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party.

She attacked right-wing Labour MPs and their friends in the press for labelling Brexit voters “anti-immigrant” and creating an uproar about EU citizens’ rights, whilst the rights of people from the Commonwealth had been under attack for decades.

The Stop the War convenor gave examples of the EU’s reactionary policies, including forcing Greece to slash pensions and privatise on a mass scale, and supporting the Spanish government against Catalonia, the opposite of its backing for the disintegration of Yugoslavia.

It was refreshing to hear a labour movement panel argue for Brexit at the Conway Hall even though none of the speakers spelt out what they meant by the “left alternative” or “Lexit” that they all talk about.  If we fail to do this then the discussion on the street will never go beyond the parameters set by Tory Brexiteers who want out in order to create a global tax haven based on a low-wage economy purely to boost the profits of the exploiters and oppressors whom they serve.

London call for Lexit vote

Tariq Ali calls for Lexit!

by Theo Russell

Several hundred people gathered on Monday at a Left Leave Campaign rally at London’s Camden Centre to hear supporters of worker’s rights from across Europe call for a “Lexit” vote next Thursday.

Mick Lynch, RMT assistant general secretary, declared: “The EU is unreformable, change can only come through campaigns and struggle. Another Britain is possible, another Europe is possible, but another EU isn’t. Vote for Lexit!”

Polly Jones, of Global Justice Now, warned: “Staying in the EU means joining TTIP. Even members of the European Parliament had to join protests just to be allowed to see the draft TTIP proposals.”

Dean Williams, chair of Holborn & Covent Garden Labour party (in a personal capacity), said: “Millions of Labour supporters have been denied a voice in this debate. As soon as we get out we will see an end to that ghastly system. When Tony Benn went to Brussels as a minister, he said he felt like a slave going to Rome.”

Lindsey German, from {Counterfire}, pointed out: “The first fight for equal pay for women was the strikes by bus, tram and underground workers in 1918. The EU debate is not all about immigration. In fact the EU is driving racism by tolerating right-wing parties with anti-migrant agendas.”

Writer and broadcaster Tariq Ali said: “There is no serious reporting by the Europhile media of events in Europe such as the current struggle in France, or the protest by thousands at the US Ramstein base in Germany against drone strikes. The president of the European, Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, is a total charlatan and crook who has been involved in many scams in Luxembourg. The EU is in complete social, economic and cultural crisis. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas claims the EU is ‘green’, what about Volkswagen? They don’t give a damn about the environment, all that matters is the drive for profit.”

Tosh McDonald, president of Aslef, said: “We have no problem with freedom of movement in the EU but we do have a problem with having no free movement of workers’ rights,” adding: “Three weeks ago Aslef lay members voted ‘Out’ after a long debate at conference.”

Paul Embery, FBU London Region secretary (in a personal capacity), said “There is a disparity between trade union leaders and ordinary working people on the ground. Trade union recognition, the national minimum wage and equal pay – all were won by trade union struggle. Is the EU defined by workers’ rights or by austerity, neo-liberalism and maximising profits?”

And Polish migrant worker Jacek Szymanski, said: “The Polish economy is built on low wages, high unemployment and millions on zero-hour contracts. Twelve years after joining the EU three million people have left Poland in desperation. These are perfect conditions for creating fascism and this is not accidental, it is also happening in Greece, Italy and Hungary. You have a great opportunity to deal a powerful blow against the EU – I urge you to do it.”