22/06/2016
Thoughts from Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, Chair of Berwickshire Labour Party:
I've been following the EU referendum debate with increasing resignation.
So broadly it has pretty much become reduced to the most desultory basis of -
'Do you like foreigners?' Either -
'Yes, they're ok I suppose' (vote remain) or
'No, not really (vote leave).
There are a few people who think it's not about immigration. Most of those think it is about whether we can turn the clock back, and feel like it did when Great Britain had just won the Second World War in 1945.
And there even a tiny few who think it might be about workers rights, and whether Europe is a capitalist conspiracy.
But unfortunately it's mostly about immigration and foreigners, so I'll deal with it head on
1) The UK has an ageing population, with increasing numbers of older people who are also living longer. The demand on pensions, benefits, our NHS and social care is enormous. We need more people of working age to support this demographic. We either increase our population by encouraging people to have more children (no guarantee and will take twenty years to make a difference) or we accept immigration of working people.
2)Immigration is seen as an issue about Border controls. But border controls will not change, whether in or out of Europe. The Brexit case is utterly deceptive and no one appears to be calling their bluff. Neither Boris, nor Nigel, nor big business, nor small business, nor politicians, nor anyone else will opt to take decisive action to block free movement of workers, or reduce immigration, other than in a token measure. Why? We'll see (1) above and also - no one will tolerate border guards again on the Border with the Republic of Ireland, (or an independent Scotland for that matter!)
They also know full well that the free movement of labour is a binding principle of trade in Europe. There will be no exception and it is part of the deal to have any favourable trading terms - which the UK needs with Europe.
So all the nonsense from Brexit about 'a future immigration points system with the rest of the world on an equal footing' is just froth and fodder for the gullible and the prejudiced. There is no European country outside the EU that does not have free movement. Brexit are just British Nationalists - and nationalism just wants to make you feel better - not make actual changes that threaten economic trade.
As for Britain becoming great again on its own? No I'm not really going exert myself exposing this delusional perspective. It's not 1945, and nostalgia rarely provides an accurate picture of the way we were let alone where we could be. British conceit is all very endearing to the rest of the world I'm sure, and yes, we used to have a very big empire. But we don't any more. And thinking of 'plucky Great Britain' setting off to make new trade deals in the rest of the world is laughable, it weren't so serious.
And as for workers rights? However you feel about whether European socialism has or has not helped British workers, I can guarantee that after Brexit, with Borris in charge and no European social chapter, things will get much, much worse for trade unions, workers and welfare. There is no road to socialism that starts with a proto-nationalist neo conservative government, in an isolated United Kingdom, closing borders and seeking new international trade deals at the expense of workers rights. It's a return to servitude!
I regret the lack of enthusiasm for the European cause. Nevertheless the fear factor is real. Brexit will mean we face a torrid and uncertain future short term, and the prospect of economic catastrophe. I dare not even imagine the political consequences of Brexit!
But my case for Europe remains positive. We don't act as a mature and influential nation in the world unless we give up some sovereignty and take decisions together in cooperation with other countries. It's just what you have to do. It's just the grown up way to behave. And you won't get it all your way, but you often will have influence. And the U.K. has had its own way by a factor of 50 to 1 in how we have voted with the majority in the EU. The importance and influence of the EU will be felt in the UK whether we are in the room or not when the decisions are made. I sometimes think that the European Union is quite possibly the only sane place on earth (other than possibly Canada?). Why on earth would we want to stop cooperating with our closest neighbours? People like Borris and Farage make the UK, its politics and its prospects, more precarious, more unreasoned, harsher, poorer and most importantly, less compassionate, regressive and wrong.
We have failed to take an active part in the political union of Europe, we have failed to report it in our media, discuss it in our democracy or join with our political counterparts in the other nations of Europe. We are paying the price of ignorance and conceit.
I hope that we will get the chance to have learnt this lesson, to remain Europeans, and make amends.
