John Rees writes:
David Cameron's decision to hold the EU referendum ranks as one of the most politically irresponsible decisions of any British government since the Second World War.
David Cameron's decision to hold the EU referendum ranks as one of the most politically irresponsible decisions of any British government since the Second World War.
For the infantile purpose of
getting the upper hand over his Eurosceptic critics in the Tory party
Cameron initiated a debate that was dominated on both sides by the
voices of the right.
But
the referendum also divided opinion on the left, with trade
unionists, anti-racists, civil libertarians and socialists on both
sides.
There is now a clear danger that
if these divisions persist, then the unelected prime minister and her deeply divided
government will undemocratically force through a deal which perpetuates the
Tory ideal of a privatised, free-market, non-union economic model.
Migrants
will face a renewed onslaught, and cherished institutions like the NHS and
the state pension will be attacked.
Meanwhile the crisis of housing
and on the railways will get worse.
So now is the time to
set aside the differences provoked by the
referendum campaign, and unite to prevent Theresa May from
turning the post-Brexit negotiations into an undemocratic ramp for
furthering the interests of the corporations, the rich and the Tory
party.
There is not a single trade
unionist, anti-austerity activist, civil liberties campaigner or
anti-racist who wants to allow the Tories a free hand over Brexit.
Everyone knows that if that happens, then the chances of electing a left government at the next election will be so much more difficult.
We want to end the dominance of
the right wing in the national debate about
what society we want.
That means refusing to accept any deal which
attempts to resolve the crisis on the basis of a neoliberal economic
regime which perpetuates inequality and which fails to regenerate NHS, schools,
the welfare state, and the industrial infrastructure of the
society.
Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell
have made it clear that they will not accept either an undemocratic
process, a deal that penalises working people,
or racism directed at migrants.
The People's Assembly
is raising eight issues that might frame public discussion: an
end to austerity; a programme of public
ownership; overhauling the tax system to stop a bankers' Brexit;
a new charter of workers' rights; a charter of migrants' rights; no to TTIP and
other neoliberal trade deals; a new benefits deal for all; and an
investment programme in renewable energy.
These issues will be at the heart
of the People's Question Time - Brexit: What Are Our
Demands? coming up on
the Thursday
19 January in London
with Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry, Steve Turner of
Unite the Union, Lindsey German of the People's Assembly, Amelia
Womack the deputy leader of the Greens, Malia Bouattia of the NUS, Kevin
Courtney of the NUT, and the RMT's Alex Gordon.
The whole of the trade union
and progressive movement now needs to throw its
considerable weight onto the scales.
We can all unite around
a clear set of principles that insist that, whatever the outcome
of the Brexit negotiations, it must be judged on
whether or not it closes the gap between the rich and the poor,
strengthens public services, extends democratic and civil liberties,
including trade union rights, and combats racism.
A significant factor in
the referendum result was a raw anger at
the political establishment for its neglect of the hardship
visited on working people for a generation.
If the result of Brexit is
simply one more turn of the screw, then that will simply
create another explosion further down the line.
And if you think that the current
crisis is ugly, then the next crisis will be more so.
The responsibility of the left
and the trade union movement is to make sure that this does not happen.
The political right created this
mess.
The political left must unite to get us out of it.
Make sure you come along.
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