PLP Briefing

European Union Referendum

Thursday 17 September 2015
From the Offices of Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Opposition and Hilary
Benn, Shadow Foreign Secretary.

TOP LINES
Labour will be campaigning in the referendum for the UK to stay in the

European Union. We will make the case that membership of the

European Union helps Britain to create jobs, secure growth, encourage
investment and tackle the issues that cross borders like climate
change, terrorism, tax havens and the current refugee crisis.
We will, of course, oppose any attempt by the Tory government to
undermine workers rights. But Labour is clear that the answer to any
damaging changes that David Cameron brings back from his
renegotiation is not to leave the European Union but to pledge to
reverse any changes by campaigning to stay in and get a Labour
Government elected in 2020.

Labour wants to see change in Europe and we will make the case
through the EPLP, our relationships with sister social democratic parties
and by engaging with other EU countries and social movements.

Q&A

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How will Labour be campaigning in the referendum?

Labour will be campaigning for Britain to remain in the European Union.
So will Labour be campaigning to stay in regardless of the
outcome of the Governments renegotiation?
Yes. We believe that Britain is better off staying in Europe, and any
unacceptable changes the Government makes as part of its renegotiation,
we will commit to reverse when we have the opportunity by campaigning
for change within the EU.
What is the official status of the Labour campaign to remain in
the European Union?
Alan Johnson is leading Labours official campaign to remain in the
European Union.
Will Labour whip MPs to vote a certain way in the European
referendum?
No. Labour will not whip any of its MPs in the referendum. We recognise
that there is a diversity of opinion on Britains membership in the country
and within the PLP, and individuals will be free to campaign as they wish.
But the Labour Party will be campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU
because of the benefits it brings in terms of jobs, investment, growth,
security and influence in the world.
What are the changes Labour wants from Europe?
Labour would like to see:
protection of the NHS from EU competition law
reform of the state-aid rules
the introduction of a red-card system (which means that if sufficient
member state parliaments object to a Commission proposal then it
doesnt go ahead)
reform of the EU budget
increased flexibility on transitional controls; and
protection of workers rights.
The only way to get these changes is to be positive Europeans and work
with our EU partners to ensure that Europe adapts to a changing world.

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