If we can’t reform the EU, is it time to consider leaving?

Throughout most of this year’s European election campaign, the Labour Party’s message has been to promise new policy on the NHS (Pledging that all NHS patients will get a GP appointment with 48 hours), on Housing (Limiting cap rental increases in the private sector and banning letting agents from charging fees to tenants) and yesterday’s announcement of a new policy on the minimum wage, by promising to link the minimum wage to earnings.

All of these new policies by the Labour Party were fabulous and ensured that we move in the right direction in providing a new economy that works for everyone and rebuilding the NHS that is still free at the point despite significant funding challenges.

But, as we saw with the UKIP surge last night, there is a slight problem. That election was not a General Election, one that would put Ed Miliband into Number 10. That is the European Elections. One that is based on who you want to represent you in Europe. Labour throughout the European campaign should have focused on building a new type of democracy, understanding the concerns of the people on immigration and proposing a radical new deal for the European Union. Then, in the run up to the General Election next year, we could have purposed the needed reforms on the NHS, Housing, Minimum Wage and the like.  But, in the midst of the European Elections, the need to spell out what kind of European Union reform the Labour Party would like to see is utterly imperative. Especially if the amount of disillusionment through Europe with the European Union.

This, I would argue, is one core reason why Labour didn’t win the European Elections last night. Obviously, UKIP benefitted from a protest vote and a vote against the political class. But Labour’s incessant avoidance in talking about the EU and immigration in a European Election ensured Labour paid the price by getting beat by UKIP.

In the actual Election campaign, the only real mention of EU reform, for instance, was made by Ed Balls in an article for Progress.

It’s an excellent article, no doubt. Ed Balls names good reforms that are needed from the European Union on focusing more on jobs and growth (I would have added to make sure that they’re green and renewable jobs, mind), extending the time for people from new states before they’re able to work in the UK, ending the notion of an ever closer Union, national parliaments having a greater role in any new EU legislation and attempting to eliminate any waste in the European Union.

But there’s a couple of problems. One, we shouldn’t rule out having to leave the European Union which I’ll discuss later on, second the basic principle of the European Union is ever closer Union as laid out in the Treaty of Rome, thirdly, Ed Balls follows Ed Miliband’s line in ruling out an EU Referendum unless in the case of further powers to Brussels, which again, I disagree with.

On the issue of an in/out EU Referendum, this is vitally needed to regain trust in the European Union, especially if we offer it after a radical new deal on the European Union that allows it to be more democratic, more accountability and where it works for people, rather than simply big business, as we commonly seen now.

We need to help build a European Union that doesn’t include austerity but includes the foundations for a new renewable, green long-term economy that is more competitive, isn’t based on the free-market and continuing deregulation. That helps tackle the scourge of inequality. One that doesn’t force unelected leaders upon EU member states such as Greece and Italy. That promotes democracy in all parts of the European Union, rather than solely based on the European Parliament, which powers are considerably weak compared to the Commission.

Regardless of whether you oppose or support the European Union, it’s undeniably how undemocratic it is and how we never consented to the European Union in 1992. Therefore, an in/out Referendum is needed for democratic reasons, but also to regain trust in the European Union if we’re going to remain members. Lastly, if Ed Balls wants to use the it’ll damage investment and confidence in our economy card, then you could also use it for having Referendums on anything, or having elections. As it’ll create uncertainty for the markets. We do not base our democracy on what the market thinks and it should stay that way.

And if we cannot achieve those reforms, then the Labour Party must consider leaving the European Union. Why shouldn’t we rule out leaving the European Union some may ask. Wouldn’t this notion help divide the Labour Party and shouldn’t we, like the Lib Dems be Pro-EU?

No, I argue. If anything, if we continue to have a European Union that is not democratic, is not accountability, is not competitive, is in the pockets of big business, is fixated with deregulation and the free market, continues with the failed belief in austerity, allows an immigration system that doesn’t ensure that the working-class are undercut, then the European Union cannot work towards a Socialist economy and one that benefits the bottom 20%. Yes, the European Union can be incredibly important, but it’s not utterly necessary for our future. We can make trade deals with India, Brazil and South Africa. We can regain our borders from Europe to ensure we receive migration that our economy desires (High skill labour, doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers etc). We can ensure that we’re not part of ever enlarging Political Union that remains uncompetitive and in the hands of big business, which at the moment could lead US firms getting their hands on our beloved NHS via the EU-US free trade agreement.

The European Union isn’t perfect, everyone knows that. It needs needs urgent reform if the UK is going to continue remaining a member. However, at the moment, that discussion is being dominated by the Tories and their promise of a renegotiation of our relationship with Europe and a Referendum after in 2017. The Labour Party needs to win back that discussion now in the aftermath of a terrible defeat in the European Elections. We need to do that to ensure that the European Union receives reforms that can benefit working-class people and if they fail to do that, then they should consider using the nuclear option in calling for the UK to leave the European Union.

If the European Union is not democratic, not accountable and does not help working-class people and the building of a Socialist economy, then what’s the point in remaining members? That’s the question Labour has to answer.