Lack of vision in EU debate is an opportunity for Labour

The war for the soul of the Tory party has begun; the EU referendum is the vehicle that’s ushered this in fighting onto the centre stage. While it’s an amusing spectacle to watch from the Labour camp, the debate does not end with the Conservative proxy war, David Cameron’s hollow renegotiations or the peddling of anti-immigration sentiment.

This is not a referendum on immigration or on Cameron and Boris Johnson. We are deciding the future of a continent: Labour need to carve out their own, united, positive message that doesn’t toe Cameron’s line or buy into the same stale arguments.

There’s plenty of space for Labour to make a radical case for the EU and be heard in the debate. Take Cameron’s emergency break, it might look good to some but closer examination reveals nothing but empty symbolism. The PM proudly claimed that he will reduce immigration by cutting the in-work benefits given to EU migrants in their first seven years in Britain. There’s a fundamental flaw in his argument, which he knows all too well: people come here for jobs not benefits.

Our problems within and outside of the EU are not down to migrants. As Cameron was securing his supposedly historic deal, the Treasury revealed the Government does not know the annual benefits paid to EU migrants in Britain or the money these same people put into the public purse through taxes. Evidence elsewhere suggests European migration is actually “fuelling” the economy’s limited growth. Staying ‘in’ will mean remaining committed to the free movement of people throughout Europe – as others (predominantly people of colour) all too often face a wall made up of discriminatory immigration rules – but Cameron’s message is noxious: facts are hazy; anti-immigration sentiment is palpable. This, and the rest of Cameron’s weak deal, shows the banality of the debate. Superficiality abounds and statescraft is nowhere to be found.

Labour should seize on this. Jeremy Corbyn struck the right cord on Monday by broadening the focus of the debate. I, like many in the Labour movement (including Corbyn himself) am sceptical of the EU. There’s a lack of vision from both sides that leaves little feeling of enthusiasm. Labour can harness this to set themselves apart from Cameron and co. Contrary to the Prime Minister’s belief, arguing for the EU doesn’t have to automatically make you a member of the Establishment.

Getting the right balance is tricky. The unencumbered pro-EU argument – rooted in a pro-business mantra – is a relatively easy and misguided one on which to focus.

Labour need to make this ‘people’ focussed; with the trade union movement extolling the importance of EU labour laws and the freedom that comes with being part of the Europe. They can’t ignore the EU’s shortcomings; the power of corporations, which the undemocratic transatlantic trade and investment partnership will strengthen tenfold; the democratic deficit; or the fortress that locks out refugees. It’s up to Labour to address concerns like these, argue for reclaiming the EU to create a fairer Europe and point out that Tory spats are damaging the country (the run on the pound that accompanied Boris Johnsons’ announcement meant it hit its the lowest point since 2009).

There are undoubtedly problems to overcome. While the Tories fight it out, there needs to be a broad agreement among pro-EU Labour politicians. Certain ex-Labour ministers emerging from the woodwork to make their views known on the EU, and use the opportunity to have a pop at Jeremy Corbyn, aren’t helping shift this debate into the realms of sensible. They are, rather short-sightedly, using the debate for their own means while assuming that all Labour supporters are enthusiastically for the EU.

There’s complacency over the EU referendum, too many are confident that the public always vote for the status quo. There are disenfranchised voters who are tired of the same old politics – and it is these people Labour must speak to if they want Britain to remain in the EU. This as an opportunity to get more people enthused about politics.

A surge of people signing up to the electoral register is the last thing the Tories want – they have, after all done everything possible to diminish voter numbers – Corbyn should do everything possible to champion the power of democracy and urge people to help frame their own future. The pro-EU left, and the anti-EU left for that matter, must have a voice in this referendum. They can let the Tories tear themselves to pieces and bring some rationality to the next four months.