Last night, I attended the book launch for Anita Pollack’s launch for her latest book on the history of the UK Labour Party in the European Parliament from 1997 to 2010. Richard Corbett MEP and Ernst Stetter from FEPS.
I had the pleasure of working for Anita in the hey days of New Labour and the return to power in May 1997.
It’s People Stupid
Most people think of Brussels in terms of processes and policy. I think personalities are more important. Anita’s book looks at the key personalities that shaped the UK Labour Party’s views on Europe (she worked for Barbara Castle) and the key forces in the UK European Parliamentary delegation.
It bears worth remembering that before the introduction of PR in the UK, the UK Labour Group was the single largest group (62) in the whole Parliament by some margin. How the UK Labour Group decided to vote on an issue, meant how a Committee voted, and often how the the full Parliament would vote.
A Progressive Era Once Existed
In 1997, the Labour group of MEPs were at the forefront of progressive legislation that improved the lives of people, from EU wide air pollution rules, protection for pregnant women, and paid holidays for workers. We were reminded that these laws often opposed by big industry and and conservative forces. The Third Way and progressive social democratic parties dominated governments across Europe. For progressive causes, these were sunny days.
Jumping forward to 2016, the world looks a very different place. In the UK, a vote on 23 June will decide if the UK remains in or leaves the EU. Ultra nationalists (at best) are in power in Hungry and Poland. An unambitious Commission is in office and Social Democrats in power are rare.
Lessons Learned
There was a realisation that the anti-Europeans had been more diligent in their planning (they have been at it for 20 years) and their persistence is paying off. If the EU In vote wins, and that is a bit if, the pro-European cause will need to become more diligent in future. Also, every european election in the UK had one thing in common. No-one campaigned about Europe on the door step. The level of active and positive debate with the British people had for too long been pitiful to non-existent.We will find out on 23 June whether this long term failure to engage has cost progressives and Europe dearly.