Britain in Europe
Posted by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, at 17:12, Thu 28 March 2013:
I spent two days this week in Brussels visiting the European Union institutions.
The main topic of discussion was about whether or not the UK would remain in the EU.
The Prime Minister wants to renegotiate the terms of membership, and then hold a referendum on whether we stay in the EU or not. But that won’t take place until 2017, and the uncertainty in the meantime threatens to weaken British influence among other European countries.
The EU is massively important for UK trade and growth. Already, the majority of our trade is with the EU. Now, the EU is negotiating a free trade deal with the US which will cover all EU members. Negotiations are taking place or are concluded with many other major trading blocs too.
If the UK were to leave the EU, we’d be outside the scope of those trading arrangements. I simply don’t believe it would be feasible for us to negotiate a whole series of individual deals on our own that would be just as good. We wouldn’t have the negotiating power that the 27 EU countries collectively can bring.
Over the past decade, the UK has been a powerful player in shaping European priorities, whether that was about promoting a single European market which allows us freedom to sell our goods and services in Europe, or enlarging the EU to bring in new member states.
Not everything about this has been easy, of course. As more countries have joined the EU, it’s been possible for more European nationals to migrate to Britain to work.
That’s caused some tensions, especially when it’s harder for local people to find jobs. It’s allowed some unscrupulous employers to force down wages and water down terms and conditions of employment. Some employment agencies have deliberately recruited workers only from particular nationalities, as they know they’ll work for lower pay.
This is totally unacceptable, and I’m pleased Ed Miliband and Yvette Cooper have been absolutely clear that Labour would crack down on employment abuses, invest in the skills that give local people the very strongest chance of competing for jobs, ensure the national minimum wage is enforced, and work towards introducing a living wage.
But we shouldn’t forget that the EU has also been the source of some of important employment rights back here in the UK, like paid holidays, health and safety, equal treatment for part-time workers and women, protection for employees when a business is sold off, and giving employees a voice at work.
David Cameron has set up a review as a first step to renegotiating the terms of our membership of the EU, and ultimately to holding a referendum on whether we’re staying in or leaving. My visit to Brussels this week reminded me that one reason why so many Tories want the UK out of Europe is because they see it as a chance to scrap those important workers’ rights.
It’s vitally important that the future of Britain in Europe is the subject of a proper, open, fully-informed, public debate.
Kate Green
Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston
Shadow Minister for Equalities
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Posted by Mr Clive Gibson, 16:01, Fri 19 April 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
WE SHOULD HAVE A VOTE NOW - The UK should leave the EU as most people want. Thank God we never joined the Euro, but if we stay in we will be forced to join or accept control of the UK economy by the EU i.e. the Germans. Kate - you don't seem to realise that the EU is a capitalist super club, you are so grateful for the pathetic crumbs they throw to the workers! Surely you and the Labour movement should be sticking up for British workers rights, not hoping for help from EU bureaucrats?!