The United Kingdom voted this 23rd of June, on referendum, to remain or leave the European Union. The decision to leave the EU gathered 52% against the remaining 48% that choose to stay.
The Left Unity has already issued a statement deploring the “disastrous outcome” of the EU Referendum, underlining the fact that this referendum “came from pressure from the far-right – driven by anti-immigration sentiment, fuelled by racism”, and called on “all those who reject this disastrous turn in British politics to unite to oppose racism, to defend the rights of migrants and to fight to protect and extend workers’ and other rights that are now under threat.”
The fight to defend the rights of working class communities and the rebuilding of support for socialist ideas are then presented as priorities for the Left Unity, “to oppose those who would divide us further”. “Movements and left parties throughout Europe are mounting their own massive political opposition to neo-liberalism, against austerity and poverty”.
The solidarity opposes to the divisions is clear in the wishes to Unidos Podemos in Spain for success in their election this weekend and the struggles of the French workers.
Although admitting the UK may be heading out the EU, the Left Unity stated that “movements and left parties throughout Europe are mounting their own massive political opposition to neo-liberalism, against austerity and poverty” and underlined that “we stand a better chance of defeating our own ruling class by working together with the people of Europe with shared strategies in common campaigns.
Left Unity declared to be “proud to be part of the Party of the European Left. We must unite the working class across Europe, to defeat neo-liberalism and the far right”.
To read the full statement click here.
The same has been said by Pierre Laurent, EL president : “We reject the false dilemma imposed by the proponents of austerity, between the depression in the social crisis and authoritarianism, or dislocation amid nationalist rivalries.
There is another option that of recovery of the European project by the left. A crucial battle for the future is engaged between the libertarian right of Boris Johnson ally of the extreme right of Marine Le Pen and the alliance of all left forces and progressives that refuse austerity.
Our eyes are on Spain, where Sunday's result could open a hope in the progressive camp. We are more than ever alongside the leftist people of United Kingdom and Ireland, in the complex and volatile period ahead. With our allies, we will work tirelessly to build the Europe of social, economic and ecological development, respectful of national sovereignty.”
