Forget factions in Labour’s NEC elections – vote for pro-EU candidates

I’ll admit I rather enjoy Labour’s NEC elections. It offers the membership of the Labour Party an opportunity to offer its view on the direction of our movement: a genuine chance to influence the highest decision-making body in our party.

But I do have a genuine concern. This year’s NEC elections are in danger – as they are most years – of being seen through the prism only of Labour’s leadership. Essentially, it’s a proxy battle between pro- and anti-Corbyn factions. When Jeremy Corbyn has rarely been more secure, and the overwhelming majority of our membership voted not once but twice for him to be our leader, this is unhelpful. 

It would be a shame if in falling into the trap that’s been set for us, we ignored what was happening in the real world where people want to see Labour take a lead against this absolute shambles of a Tory government. Don’t let Theresa May’s narrow victories in the Commons fool you – we’re no closer to any kind of deal with the European Union, let alone a good one. 

Next March, millions of people in this country face the prospect of being stripped of their rights should a ‘no deal’ Brexit occur. Even if a deal is cobbled together, every British citizen will lose their right to work, live and travel abroad.

These are real issues affecting real people in the UK: migrants, the working class and the most marginalised in our society. We’re in danger of workers’ rights, freedom of movement and party democracy – core Labour values – being blown away by the foaming tides of factionalism. 

On Labour’s right, some are hoping that if they simply say they are in favour of a debate, they can look pro-European (and hit out at Corbyn to boot). They neglect to mention that many of those MPs and members are in favour of stripping working people of their rights and pandering to anti-immigrant sentiment.

On the left, a mirror image is seen. Some are blaming the Tories or those on Labour’s right for their own failure to back workers’ rights to travel, work, live and love abroad, simply as a form of electoral calculation.

My challenge to everyone standing for Labour’s NEC is this: come out for workers’ rights and freedom of movement, oppose Tory hard Brexit plans, and back a People’s Vote on the final deal.

Our movement was created from trade unions and those who believed workers deserved the same rights as management. The Labour Party has always been proudly internationalist – whether in our fights against racism and fascism or our defence of immigration. Many members, including myself, believe in Corbyn for his drive to empower members. 

All of this is more important than any slate or faction. These are Labour values. I won’t vote for anyone who doesn’t stand up for our rights, and I will consider backing any candidate who does. There shouldn’t be anything controversial about that.

Kira Milana Lewis is President of Exeter College Students’ Union and activist for For our Future’s Sake (FFS).