The recent shock of a Tory majority means we are potentially closer to a British exit from the European Union, with the imminence of a referendum before 2017.
Representing our biggest export market globally, we will need to lead the strong defence of our EU membership, as we know it is best for British business to stay in Europe, and it is also absolutely the right thing for the employees who work in those companies.
Over the past 18 months, businesses have already reacted to the Tories’ plans for a referendum with anger and frustration. During our parliamentary election campaigns, many of us will have spoken to representatives from major international businesses that have made it clear that they would consider moving headquarters and key operations from the UK to neighbouring EU countries in the event of a British exit.
Small businesses also fear the loss of our greatest export market. Standing in the Thames Valley, I heard from the regional local enterprise partnership, which brings together companies with aspirations to make the Thames Valley the ‘Tech valley of Europe’. An exit from the EU will clearly stop that ambition dead in its tracks.
With the prospect of an exit, comes great uncertainty. The Tories may not have carefully considered the damaging effects of this insecurity, but the credit rating agencies are already taking this into account. In 2014, the rating agency, Standard and Poor’s, explained that one of the greatest risks to the UK’s credit rating was the threat of an EU exit.
Through our defence of EU membership we are showing unrivalled support for the future and aspirations of British business. This is key to our concentration on economic growth and prosperity, which should define the agenda of any future Labour administration. We must build on the foundations of growth-focused policies that we have started to see in relation to discussions concerning the proposal for a British Investment Bank, and, at an EU level, the introduction of a commission vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness, driven by support from Labour MEPs.
The vision of a strong Britain in Europe extends to the future prospects of our young people as they look to enter the world of work. Our university students should be further encouraged to engage with Europe (and further afield) during their degrees and studies. All apprenticeships should have part of their sights focused internationally, so that apprentices are ready to work in companies that cross borders, or are prepared when setting up their own start-ups which may trade with European partners. I am talking about the rich and vast range of apprentices who enter creative industries, tech, science and innovation, right through to our farriers and blacksmiths.
Whilst the fight to protect British business is of itself important, we also do this because it best represents the interests of our country’s workforce, which depends on commercial success for jobs and security. We will need to campaign hard and clear so that people are explicitly aware of how the EU has served employees – through the workers’ rights granted in respect of maternity, paternity, holiday, and redundancy entitlements, as well as enhanced workplace safety. With our MEPs, we must develop clear messages of how this progress can be taken forward.
We should not shy away from accepting that some institutional and strategic reforms are needed in the EU; and that we choose to do this proactively through engagement with European partners. We should advocate getting round the table and negotiating with other European countries, who may also feel strongly about issues such as migration, and financial accountability with regard to EU institutions. Therein lies one of the greatest and most cynical challenges to our campaign, as the proponents of a Brexit will try to promulgate fear and smear against the EU. We will not win the argument by denying some of the challenges, but we can frame the issues succinctly, and show that we have the best approach to the solutions.
If we can bring together an alliance of our country’s workers and businesses to remain part of the EU, for jobs, growth, security and employee rights, we will show Labour at its best, and with elements of the right mindset to win in 2020.
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Charles Smith is a Labour member and activist. He tweets @charlie_rsmith
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Hello Charles
You make a compelling case for Europe. However, what PM Blair and former leader Miliband forgot is the micro impact of the EU on our voters lives and I think our policy, which I supported, not to have a referendum, cost us votes.
I represent Harrow-Edgware. A small slice of Harrow tucked between Barnet and Barnet and right on the eastern edge of the Borough. The Ward has about 3,900 households and the properties are largely 1930’s semi-detached or terraced properties. There is very little social housing.
Over the last 5 years, I do not know exactly when it began, there has been a rapid inward migration of single men/women and families of Romanian descent, using the rights of migration of belonging to the EU.
However, while these households are 98% hard-working, spotlessly clean good citizens their large numbers are having an impact on the area and its not all positive.
1) There has been a rapid growth of private renting. Much of it HMO. Badly managed and having a negative impact on the area because the properties are untidy, neglected. The tenants do not complain as it’s not their way and they don’t know their rights. The owner-occupiers complain but the laws of enforcement are weak as they are based on protecting private tenants and cannot cope with this situation.
2) Many of the new residents are given insufficient bins by their landlords and they do not know how to recycle so the the recycling bins are often not collected even tough they’re full. This has led to an epidemic of fly-tipping.
3) Romanians like to drink, especially at the weekend. Over the weekend the Ward is littered with empty drink bottles and I have seen men so drunk they’re incapable of standing. Because they’re inebriated they sometimes urinate or defecate in the street. Although they are harmless the sight of big strong strapping young men out of control with drink is frightening to passers-by.
4) They also like BBQ’s. They have a lot when it’s warm and cause residents lots of noise and disturbance when the Council is cutting it’s out of hours service.
5) Romanian children go to the local schools with limited or no English. They also learnt basic adding up/subtraction in a different way to the way it is taught here, so the parents cannot help them with their homework. This is putting pressure on the local schools.
6) The established communities are moving out and their homes are being bought up for rent so we’re in a spiral of decline.
All of this is why there is going to be a referendum. It’s not just the case about business which is a strong case. It’s because the Blair/Brown/Cameron Governments have not understood the issues on the ground and done something about it in terms of laws and grants and community development that we might leave the EU. We need to put a wider case than just the business argument or we will leave.
A frustrated Harrow Councillor