Reflections on Brexit

Dear Editor, Some in the Labour and trade union movement are failing to voice workers’ interests in the Brexit debate.

Securing access to the single market need not mean capitulating to the treaties, directives and institutions of the European Union, which serve the interests of the capitalist monopolies.

Numerous countries trade with the EU without giving up their right to decide their own trade, financial, industrial or immigration policies.

Most of British big business wants to stay as closely aligned as possible with the single market because its free movement rules, together with companies’right to operate in any country they choose, enables them to maximise profit.

EU treaties and directives will be used to impede a future left-wing Labour government’s programme to boost infrastructure, take energy, railways and the Royal Mail back into public ownership, extend state aid to industry, prevent import “dumping,”promote regional development and regulate public-sector contracts in favour of union recognition, equal opportunities, training and tax compliance.

A string of European Court rulings restrict the rights of elected governments and trade unions to protect imported, outsourced or redundant workers.

The alternative to the EU single market is not deregulated markets, cheap and flexible labour and free trade agreements.

The Labour movement should promote a third option beyond the EU and global neoliberalism.

Communists believe the people of Britain need public investment and ownership, economic planning, collective bargaining and fair immigration instead of “Fortress Europe”and super-exploitation of migrant workers. John Campbell, Secretary, Lanarkshire Communist Party