When it comes to the referendum Labour must look at the big picture, not at the fine print

There is nothing the Labour Party more likes as a secret pleasure, than to pore over the minutiae of a resolution, to seek to exploit the contradictions and shortfalls for our political ends.

But when it comes to the conclusions of today’s European Council – and the so-called ‘UK deal’ – we can rest assured that it is the rabid hordes of Eurosceptics to the right of the political spectrum, who will do the job of scrutinising every dot and comma.

For Labour, now is the time for the big picture not the fine print.

The expected date of the referendum may be agreed at the special Cabinet meeting tonight or be announced in the Commons Statement, timetabled for Monday.

Either way, ‘flaming June’ must consign twenty years of Europhobic hysteria to the bonfire, and save a strong, outward-looking, internationally-respected Britain from being scorched beyond recognition.

Like so much of the European argument in Britain, voters will be overwhelmingly confused by claim and counter-claim about today’s deal.

For Labour members and voters, the key element is that we managed to get rights at work and other elements of the Social Chapter, excluded from the beginning.

This is crucial in allowing support from key trade unions and for our party to be absolutely united in campaigning for a vote for Britain to remain ‘in’.

This was underlined by Jeremy Corbyn personally, who joined us in Brussels to brief Europe’s other centre-left leaders attending the EU Summit, on Labour’s position.

One of the less reported pledges which will please Labour activists during the visit, was his clear pledge for Labour to support EU banking regulation.

However, Jeremy used the visit most of all to repeat the words of Alan Johnson, Chair of the ‘Labour In For Britain’ campaign, that the whole Cameron negotiation is nothing more than a “sideshow”.

Of course the aspect of the deal on benefits for migrant workers was always going to be most controversial to both right and left – and for diametrically opposed political reasons.

But the Labour leader repeated his clear commitment that a Labour Government will simply repeal elements of Cameron’s reforms with which we do not agree.

On migration specifically, Jeremy told Labour MEPs: “It is important that we do not referee a debate which is between the Tories, but wage our own Labour campaign, in order to best serve our own case.”

So the question which will dominate the Tory media over whether the reforms go far enough is the wrong question – Labour should always want to pursue more reform, where this can make European decision-making more democratic, more effective and better uphold the rights of the people we represent.

But the real question is the one on the ballot paper, and is answered by the positive case for Britain to remain in the European Union.

When an election is called, we put aside the internal wrangling over the manifesto, and start to campaign on the always far-more substantial political differences between Labour and the Tories.

Sometime today or in the next few days, the referendum will be called, our own policy discussion put to one side, and our campaign begun.

Already national campaign days have been held, national and regional launches taken place and Labour canvassers are asking the question about voting intention for the EU referendum on the doorstep.

Shadow Europe Minister Pat Glass MP told us that virtually every Constituency Labour Party across the country has appointed a ‘Referendum Champion’.

Joint materials integrating Labour’s message for local council and police commissioner elections, and for the EU referendum, are being prepared.

This is a campaign where Labour activists will say to Labour supporters: the Labour Party believes it is on the interests of our people and our country, that Britain should remain in the European Union.

And Labour asks you – our supporters – to come out to vote to support the Labour message in this referendum, as we do in any other election.

The difference in this vote is that we are not talking about one term of office, but a historic and irreversible decision, for generations to come.

Do we allow a weaker Britain, retreating to the past, cutting off our influence, which entrenches a xenophobic and reactionary lurch to the right?

Or do we seek to build a strong Britain, looking to the future, a big player on the international stage, defending political space for the more open, tolerant, diverse and rights-based politics, for which the Labour Party must always stand?

That is the big picture.

David Cameron will now spend a lot of time arguing with his own MPs.

Labour will spend our time putting our argument to the electorate.

The referendum campaign starts now.

Richard Howitt MEP is Labour Member of the European Parliament for the East of England and Chair of the European Parliamentary Labour Party.