Denis MacShane is a former Minister of Europe and was a Labour MP for 18 years.
How odd to see the anti-European commentariat working itself up because BBC Radio 1 mentioned Jeremy Corbyn’s appearance at the Glastonbury Festival. There had been nothing to stop Theresa May or any other Conservative trying their luck on a Glasto stage, but the Young Left do Glasto and the Old Right do Glyndebourne. Thus anti-EU Tories fare better in the dinner-jacket world of classical music than in the torn jeans and T-shirts of rock festivals.
In fact, the BBC has largely ignored Corbyn since he became Labour leader in 2015 – save to mock him. Sensibly, since the election, the BBC now must take him seriously.
Instead of indulging in yawn-inducing Beeb-bashing, anti-Europe journalists might look at what Corbyn said at Glastonbury. Or rather what he did not say. The general election result was the revenge of the 48%. Young voters who did not vote last June made sure they were registered and turned out in droves to vote against May’s hard Brexit manifesto.
Older voters stayed true to Tory Brexit beliefs as they turned away from Ukip, which, like the Poujadiste movement in France in the 1950s, is now over as an election story. That is, unless the UK stays in the EU and continues to elect MEPs.
But, even as Corbyn raised those Glasto cheers, he never once mentioned the biggest factor mobilising the young enthusiasts who look to him as Britain’s Bernie Sanders – namely, the question of Brexit.
The Labour leader has rightly criticised the mean, ultra-bureaucratic offer from May on the rights of EU citizens, who will be branded as second-category residents in the UK. They will be forced to carry identity cards, unlike all other people living here, and will be unable to bring in family members in the future.
But Labour has made no counter-offer on future arrivals. Indeed, Labour continues to stick to its mantra of putting in place Cold War-era immigration controls and accepts in consequence a departure from the single market that will devastate jobs in industrial areas that are Labour’s heartland.
Some Labour MPs and peers are beginning to say that whatever final form Brexit takes it must include remaining in the single market and the customs union. But Corbyn was unable to make that pledge to his cheering Glastonbury fans.
He has voted against every EU treaty that has come to the Commons for ratification. The prime minister tells everyone she has a mandate because “80% voted for Brexit” on June 8. She is adding together Tory and Labour (and DUP) votes. So far the Labour leadership has not repudiated her claim.
To be fair, many Labour MPs remain frightened of losing the white working-class vote in old mining and metal-working constituencies in the Midlands and the North. Labour did well in cities with big university, professional and BAME voting blocs. In poor, post-industrial areas there are not yet many votes in being pro-European.
It is a genuine dilemma for Corbyn. But until Labour develops a coherent Brexit policy it will be a passenger not a driver in the debate over the UK and Europe – no matter how many cheer for Jezza at rock festivals.
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Edited by Jane Macartney
Well, let’s put aside the claim that Glyndebourne is more pro-Brexit than Glastonbury. (Perhaps some of the punters are, but just ask almost any member of the Musicians’ Union what they think and you’d get a very different response!)
There is however another aspect of the Corbyn-Glasto scenario which seriously bothers me, and that’s whether he’s going to finish up with a whole generation of young people who feel betrayed by Labour, thanks to the grim determination to deliver Brexit. as I suggest here: https://pinkpolitika.com/2017/07/01/do-young-momentum-enthusiasts-know-jeremy-corbyn-really-wants-brexit/
We have only to look at Nick Clegg’s U-turn on college fees (to be repeated if in power by Corbyn?) to see how toxic an undelivered ‘promise’ can be – and the large majority of young people, as we all know, favour Remain (and seem to think Corbyn does too). Jeremy Corbyn has not promised Remain, but lots of younger enthusiasts haven’t yet realised that. Will they be ‘betrayed’?
So, what next? Well, either ‘betrayal’ will come about, or, if Labour is very lucky, Jeremy Corbyn and friends will realise that, with only 27% of Labour voters wanting Brexit any way, they must somehow come out for Remain before more damage is done.
Is it true that Corbyn wants Brexit because he believes the EU won’t permit (re-)nationalisation? If so perhaps he needs to check his facts again http://www.richardcorbett.org.uk/renationalisation-impossible/ ?
And isn’t it time to tell the truth? Those eg northern working class people (NB not Liverpool, not Manchester, not Newcastle; we all chose Remain) who voted Leave were lied to. They are entitled to be upset about that, and to demand something better. It is NOT in their interests to pursue Brexit, and Labour needs to do everything possible to avert that fate. Let’s start being honest and principled about this.
It won’t be ‘just’ young people who are betrayed if Jeremy Corbyn continues to fudge with his inclination to secure Brexit.
Time to get real. History also will not forgive the Brexiteers, whether they are Tory or Labour.