Pro-Europeans have prowled in the corridors of power. Now Labour needs an EU referendum

Amid a summer of discontent within that most fractious of entities, the British Labour Party, a question of fundamental importance has bubbled beneath the surface. Whilst the grubby distortions over the Syrian vote, and the on-going trauma of negotiating the relationship with our trade union allies, Europe, and our place in it, has been sidelined. When Europe is discussed within British politics, it is only raised with the view to criticising it, or talking about when we might leave it – in the EU club, the UK seems like the perennial pub bore. But the issue won’t go away or dwindle in significance just because it’s not splashed across the headlines. For many within the Labour party that brings uncomfortable questions.

The Conservatives have set the tone of the debate over Europe. For a party that infamously “bangs on about Europe” their rabid tendency finally has, after decades of trying, a reason to bask in quiet reflection. In all probability a referendum is coming. It may be in 2017, or it could come as soon as the European elections due next May. At present Labour’s strategy can be summed up as  hiding. We are running away from a debate we wish not to have, fearful of the result the great British public might deliver. This is thunderously naive politics and risks people losing trust in Labour.

Although such evasiveness is understandable, it is simply unsustainable. Plenty of Conservative party members have dedicated their political lives to seeing off the EU, and many on the Left share similar disdain. In order to fight for our stated position, that of continued EU membership, the party needs to pragmatic rather than passionate, and engage with the debate initiated by our opponents. Our position can no longer be silence.

Labour must commit to delivering an EU referendum. To deny this obvious solution will let the Conservative say that they trust the people and Labour does not. We should trust the people. It is frankly frightening to witness how many within the Labour deny this logic. Those who are ideologically committed to British membership in the EU, but resist a referendum, often do so because it would put British membership at risk. The implications of such a position are either elitist or defeatist. But a nation cannot be wedded to an idea as powerful as that of the EU if it no longer has the support of the very people it is supposed to represent and help. Without popular endorsement, Britain’s position in Europe will be enveloped in permanent uncertainty, forever weakening its chances of constructive engagement.

Cameron’s mistake was to pitch the referendum solely as a vehicle to quell his vociferous backbenchers. He didn’t believe it was the right thing to do; he did it because in cold hard political reality he had to. Labour’s pitch can and should be better. A call in support of a referendum, even an early one, would be in the national interest by ending the uncertainty of waiting for Cameron’s 2017 arbitrary deadline. It would also, politically, be extremely bold of the Labour party and wrestle back an issue so intertwined with the Conservative party and their frothing scepticism.

For too long the Eurosceptics have led the debate on Europe. They are the self-created bastions of the British interest. There is a fundamental decision to be made and only the British people can make it. Europe has for too long been an elite project. The pro-Europeans have been content to win the argument in the corridors of power. Labour now needs to take the argument to the people. It is a debate that can be won.