Countdown to '09

Three reasons why next year's Euro elections are vital for Labour

Next year's European parliamentary elections will be vital on at least three scores: starting Labour's comeback in national terms as we approach the next general election; avoiding the horrendous prospect of the BNP gaining its first ever parliamentarians under the proportional electoral system; and, last but not least, ensuring a progressive majority in the European Parliament which now has a decisive say on all European legislation.

The first of these - Labour's comeback - is apparent to all. The last European elections were in 2004, already a difficult year for Labour - so doing better in 2009 should not be impossible. We know that European elections tend to be a mid-term opportunity to kick whichever government is in power. They are also low-turnout elections that disproportionately attract xenophobic right-wing voters who are vulnerable to being 'bought' by big spenders: in 2004, UKIP spent more than the three main combined on its nationwide billboard campaign.

But perhaps the tide of Euroscepticism is turning. UKIP failed miserably to inflame public opinion against the Lisbon Treaty. On the contrary, there is a growing realisation that, warts and all, the EU is a necessary tool that we must use to our advantage. If we put a forceful case in a well-run campaign we can win against the divided Tories and the various Eurosceptics.

Secondly, the BNP threat should be a powerful motivating factor for the decent majority to go out to vote to keep them out. But with a proportional voting system, they could get a seat with as little as 8.5 per cent of the vote in the North-West or 11 per cent in Yorkshire, the West or East Midlands. If elected they will have not just the prestige and legitimacy that comes with elected parliamentary office, but the resources in terms of staff and finance that come with it. They will link up with other fascist groups in Europe. This is something to be avoided at all costs, and, in itself, merits extra effort be put into the European election campaign.

Third, the European aspect. The European Parliament is no longer a talking shop. If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, it will have the decisive say on European legislation, the adoption of which will require its approval. The strength of the socialist group in the European Parliament will therefore be of vital interest to the Labour party and to all those who seek progressive outcomes on policy issues like climate change, fair trade, consumer protection, energy, fairness at the workplace, and regulating multinational companies. The European Parliament will also elect the next president of the European Commission, so the strength of the different political groups will be vital in that regard.

What does all this mean for the way we organise the election campaign? In a low-turnout election, participation by your own supporters is vital. An extra 30 to 40 Labour votes per ward could mean an extra 1 per cent in the vote, which in turn could make the difference between gaining or losing a seat.

The list system makes the campaign different from the traditional 'target seat' strategy. While we must make use of the voter ID that we have in target seats, we must also aim to get out extra votes in safe Labour areas and in traditionally Tory areas, votes which wouldn't normally affect the outcome in a general or local election.

But we must reach beyond identified supporters of the Labour party and target the groups who are likely to be aware of the need to act progressively at European level. Trade unionists are the most obvious example, given the importance of European employment law and health and safety legislation. Campaigners for fair trade and supporters of increased overseas development aid and the NGOs that campaign for this should be natural partners for this election. The same applies to consumer protection organisations, animal welfare groups and the beneficiaries of European anti-discrimination legislation on gender, race, sexual orientation and disability. Many beneficiaries of European funding should also be aware of what is at stake in these elections.

Europe has next to nothing to say on the NHS, education, taxation, pensions, local government and most of the gut issues that determine national elections. But on issues like the environment, consumer protection and workplace rights we have to fight and win our political battles at European level. The 2009 European elections will be vital in more ways than one.

Richard Corbett is MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber

19 Jun 2008 16:08

 

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