Why socialists should oppose the European Union

Voting to remain in the European Union will lead the United Kingdom further into a federal Europe in which the hopes of social democracy become increasingly dim. Despite the current difficulties of the Labour Party, it is only through a Labour government at Westminster that social democracy will be enacted.

Indeed, there are stronger hopes that Britain can be more democratic and more socially conscious outside of the EU than within it. Democratic because voters would be able to elect a sovereign government instead of letting a distant bureaucracy make decisions on their behalf behind closed doors. Social because any hopes that the EU can deliver left-wing policies have been dashed by the response to the Greek financial crisis.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Britain's Choice on Europe - Episode 6: Hilary Benn on Labour's Case for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/britains-choice-on-europe-episode-6-hilary-benn-on-labours-case-for-europe/

The Guardian, 03.03.16: Momentum not campaigning in EU referendum http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/03/momentum-unlikely-to-take-part-in-eu-referendum-campaign

Website: Labour Leave http://www.labourleave.org/

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