Today, Labour Conference debated the International Report of the National Policy Forum and a statement on Brexit from the National Executive Committee. I believe the NEC statement was issued to delegates only, on the morning of the debate, which while not unusual is unacceptable. A campaigning comrade, Sacha Ismail posted the words to his Facebook timeline, and I have posted them below. Kier Starmer summed up the debate, and I have posted a video of his speech, which I then comment on. It was a weak speech, which disguises the weakening of Labour’s policy and moves it towards a pro-Brexit position.

In Starmer’s speech he says that Labour has agreed to accept the Referendum result. I didn’t. It’s a dead mandate … the General Election killed it even if they hadn’t cheated by lying and overspending.

He argues for a Transitional Agreement on trade with the same terms, but outside. I’ve said before, that this would, I believe, trigger the European Union Act 2013  since the transitional agreement would be replacing the treaties of the European Union. Starmers proposals may look good but we still loose our MEPs, Commissioners, our seat at the Council of Ministers (& veto) and British Judges on the Court.

His statement that we are now the “Grown Ups in the room”, looks awfully like Boris’s, being pro having cake and pro-eating it.

The other thing that pretending we can negotiate terms fails to recognise is that we are running out of time. We have just under a year left to agree terms.

He speaks of unifying the Nation, how can we do that on Brexit terms? I remind him and Corbyn & Corbyn’s office, that the majority of Labour voters and members support remain. The “#bollockstobrexit” badge us exceeding popular.

At the centre of the NEC statement is a commitment to accept the referendum result. This is unacceptable to me. At the beginning of the summer, I supported party comrades in arguing to remain in the single market and customs union, I stated that Labour Conference policy was to remain in the EU if the terms negotiated were unacceptable. It would seem to me that the Leadership, by ensuring that motions were kept off the table, and that the NEC statement was the only thing debated, have moved the Party towards Brexit. This is based on capture, not on winning a debate.

I am not happy, and don’t think I’ll be alone.

ooOOOoo

Conference believes Brexit is a crucially important issue facing our country, and has grave concerns about the impact a reckless Tory Brexit, which opens the way for a race to the bottom in standards and corporate taxes, will have on our economy and society.

Labour campaigned to remain in a reformed European Union, but as democratic socialists we accept and respect the referendum result.

Conference is deeply concerned that 15 months on from the referendum, and six months on from the triggering of Article 50, the Conservative government has agreed nothing of substance and has made almost no progress in negotiations with the EU. Therefore, Labour calls on the Government to spend less time fighting internal battles and negotiating with itself and more time engaging in the most important and complex set of international negotiations the country has ever faced.

Unlike the Conservatives, Labour will fight for a Brexit deal that prioritises jobs and the economy and protects rights. We will seek a strong, progressive new relationship with the EU – not as members but as EU partners. Labour will work with sister parties and allies across Europe to improve workers’
rights, boost trade union membership and put an end to the exploitation of workers – as well as changing UK law to improve the security, pay and skills of all workers in Britain.

Labour is clear that we need a tariff and impediment-free trading relationship with the European Union. Labour’s priority is an outcome that puts jobs, living standards and the economy first. The precise institutional form of the new trading and customs relationship needs to be determined by negotiation. Labour will not support any future arrangement that sees the introduction of a hard border, or which restricts freedom of movement between Ireland and the UK.

In order to avoid a cliff-edge as we leave the EU and allow time to negotiate this new relationship, Labour would seek a time limited transitional deal on the same basic terms we currently enjoy. During this transitional period Labour would seek to remain in a customs union with the EU and within the Single Market and would abide by the common rules of both.

Conference condemns the Conservatives for whipping up division over immigration and for the dishonesty of their bogus targets. Labour recognises that migrant workers make a huge contribution to our economy and society and that it is necessary for migration to continue to maintain our industry and public services.

Labour’s future immigration policy will be shaped by enduring Labour values of solidarity and respect, and will never scapegoat migrants and their families. We will not allow migrant or other workers to be subject to exploitation as a consequence.

Labour also calls on the Government to provide greater certainty on citizens’ rights and deplores the government’s inaction in failing to guarantee these rights in the weeks and months after the referendum. Labour demands the Government immediately guarantee existing rights for all EU nationals living in Britain, as it seeks to obtain reciprocal rights for British citizens living in the EU. This is vital for our economy and the right and progressive thing to do.

Labour’s New Brexit
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3 thoughts on “Labour’s New Brexit

  • 3rd October 2017 at 11:20 am
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    Alex Nunns, in his Red Pepper article, “The Labour conference that the media failed to report” notes that a motion to refer back the NPF International Report because it didn’t commit to staying in the single market & customs union failed. This means that the NPF Report was carried and that the vote has some weight, rather than being waved through as usual. The NPF Report says very little except that it confirms the manifesto. So Labour’s Policy is stated by Conference 2016 Composite Motion 1, the 2017 Manifesto, the 2017 NEC Statement to Conference and the NPF report to Conference 2017. Make sense of that!

    I believe the shadow cabinet are de-emphasising the option to remain if the terms are unacceptable; I oppose this. Nunns suggests that those that wanted a debate on Brexit are an alliance of the unreconciled right, and Workers Liberty. There are many in between who wish to remain, possibly a majority of our members. Corbyn, Momentum & CLPD are playing with fire here!

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