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Why Jeremy Corbyn’s wait-and-see stance on EU membership makes sense Why Jeremy Corbyn’s wait-and-see stance on EU membership makes sense
(35 minutes later)
The bizarre Corbyn interregnum at chateau Labour could yet prove salutary. The new leader’s position on the EU referendum is the only one that makes sense – other than Ukip’s. It is a refusal to decide for or against continued British membership of the EU until we know what that really means.The bizarre Corbyn interregnum at chateau Labour could yet prove salutary. The new leader’s position on the EU referendum is the only one that makes sense – other than Ukip’s. It is a refusal to decide for or against continued British membership of the EU until we know what that really means.
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David Cameron has promised to negotiate a “fundamental” reform of Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe. He has not promised to vote no if he fails to achieve it. He has thus reduced his negotiating leverage to almost zero and made the exercise appear a sham. Given his current stance on Syrian refugees, half of Europe would dearly like to make British membership more rather than less onerous.David Cameron has promised to negotiate a “fundamental” reform of Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe. He has not promised to vote no if he fails to achieve it. He has thus reduced his negotiating leverage to almost zero and made the exercise appear a sham. Given his current stance on Syrian refugees, half of Europe would dearly like to make British membership more rather than less onerous.
Corbyn’s past scepticism on Europe is one thing. He appears to regard it as a capitalist conspiracy in the grip of a bankers’ ramp set on grinding the continent’s working classes through austerity into penury. He duly voted against membership in the 1975 referendum. On the other hand he likes the EU’s social legislation and workers’ protection.Corbyn’s past scepticism on Europe is one thing. He appears to regard it as a capitalist conspiracy in the grip of a bankers’ ramp set on grinding the continent’s working classes through austerity into penury. He duly voted against membership in the 1975 referendum. On the other hand he likes the EU’s social legislation and workers’ protection.
To neither of these positions need he appeal in the case of the referendum. He merely needs to argue whether or not David Cameron has reached a better deal for Britons – rich or poor – in his shambolic and largely fruitless search for allies round the chancelleries of Europe.To neither of these positions need he appeal in the case of the referendum. He merely needs to argue whether or not David Cameron has reached a better deal for Britons – rich or poor – in his shambolic and largely fruitless search for allies round the chancelleries of Europe.
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It is sensible, indeed normal, for an opposition leader to reserve his position – and his party’s position – on such matters, just as it was tactically absurd for Corbyn’s predecessor, Ed Milliband, to offer Cameron a blank cheque and automatic referendum support. Apart from anything else, it offered anti-EU Labour voters a pass to support Ukip. It is sensible, indeed normal, for an opposition leader to reserve his position – and his party’s position – on such matters, just as it was tactically absurd for Corbyn’s predecessor, Ed Miliband, to offer Cameron a blank cheque and automatic referendum support. Apart from anything else, it offered anti-EU Labour voters a pass to support Ukip.
The referendum looks a close-run thing. Though a small majority appears to favour continued membership, large sections of both major parties are hostile. This was clearly indicated by Ukip’s astonishing victory at last year’s European elections, when Nigel Farage’s party won a popular vote of 4.4m.The referendum looks a close-run thing. Though a small majority appears to favour continued membership, large sections of both major parties are hostile. This was clearly indicated by Ukip’s astonishing victory at last year’s European elections, when Nigel Farage’s party won a popular vote of 4.4m.
That a clearly divided electorate should be faced with a referendum in which both government and opposition are on the same side is unsatisfactory. It distorts debate and incites cynicism about politics. Debate should be open, not closed. At very least, Corbyn’s stance should ensure that.That a clearly divided electorate should be faced with a referendum in which both government and opposition are on the same side is unsatisfactory. It distorts debate and incites cynicism about politics. Debate should be open, not closed. At very least, Corbyn’s stance should ensure that.