Out! And now for real independence

A document obtained by the Guardian newspaper exposes the reality of the secret Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations from the EU side.

No help for anti-EU ministers, says Cabinet Secretary

26 February 2016

Downing Street has imposed rules to prevent civil servants and special advisers from assisting ministers campaigning for Britain to leave the EU.

Government abandons steel

26 February 2016

Business Secretary Sajid Javid told a manufacturing conference this week that public funds wouldn't be used to rescue steel. He didn’t add that EU rules would prohibit it.

Are we witnessing the strange death of the European Union?

26 February 2016

Referendums all over the place, borders going up. Is the EU starting to collapse?

You thought TTIP was bad? Take a look at TiSA

The EU is preparing to hand over power to global corporations to say how we must trade in services – all services. And all in secret.

In theory, TiSA (and TTIP) can be stopped by just one member state saying no, or even by the European Parliament. It has to be approved by all 28 member state governments (the European Council) and, probably, by all 28 national parliaments.

2: An attack on developing countries

Until recently, international trade agreements were handled through the World Trade Organization. But because all countries participate equally in WTO negotiations, the leading imperialist nations (and the corporations which set their policy) haven’t had it all their own way.

Why trade unionists should vote to leave

One of the big lies of the European Union is that it is somehow good for workers. In fact, the EU is attacking the basis of all progress at work – effective collective bargaining…

No borders, no control

Free movement? In the EU it just means freedom for employers to lower pay and avoid training…

The benefits of immigration?

25 February 2016

A ten-year EU “regneration” project has contributed to Mansfield ranking as one of the poorest towns in Britain.

CPBML launches Leave! page

23 February 2016

The CPBML today announced a new web resource, cpbml.org.uk/leave – a dedicated page laying out the arguments for a Leave vote in the referendum set for 23 June.

A future for Britain

Editorial

On 23 June workers can use the referendum to strike the most important blow against capitalism in Britain in 70 years – voting to leave.

Vote to leave, trade unionists urged

14 February 2016

Workers January/February 2016

Trade unionists have every reason to vote to leave the EU – despite of the view of the TUC and a number of their member unions. This was the theme of a lively meeting held by the CPBML at Conway Hall in London on 11 February.

No advance without Marxism

13 February 2016

Statement

Political statement from the Communist Party of Britain Marxist-Leninist, 17th Congress, London, November 2015. There can be no advance without Marxism, because Marx showed that only the eventual victory of the exploited class, the working class, represents a real future. Capitalism means only destruction and war. Here in Britain, we need our own unique vision of a working class future in order to fight and win in the present.

Scotland meeting: The EU – Why Trade Unionists Should Vote To Leave

CPBML public meetings

Thursday 10 March 2016 19:00

Glasgow

CPBML Public Meeting, Thursday 10 March, 7.00 pm

Renfield Conference Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP

Even if the TUC remains tied to the Brussels trough, we can make sure the real voice of British workers is heard. Come and discuss. All welcome.

Borders: Brussels bids for power

The EU is proposing a radical extension of its powers, with plans to take over control of their member states’ borders in “emergencies”.

The EU: why trade unionists should vote to leave

CPBML public meetings

Thursday 11 February 2016 19:30

London

CPBML Public Meeting, Thursday 11 February, 7.30pm

Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL

Loss of sovereignty, privatisation, TTIP, attacks on wages, threats to peace – the EU has been a disaster for Britain, for the working class, and for trade unions. Make sure the real voice of British workers is heard. Come and discuss. All welcome.

(Please note the change of title – with talk of a referendum as early as June, the meeting will now be about why trade unions should vote to leave the EU.)

The text of the speech given at the meeting, with hyperlinked references, is available here. (You can also CTRL+ click to download the file and view it on a PDF reader.)

TTIP – the mask slips

Opponents of TTIP, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership treaty currently being negotiated on our behalf by the European Union, have consistently noted how secretive and undemocratic the process is.

The lie of Social Europe

Many unions seem wedded to the EU. Yet look closely, and it’s clear the EU has been a disaster for workers…

They call this protection?

Ask a europhile about the “benefits” of the EU and one that might be thrown in your face is the Agency Workers Directive. Yet as trade union lawyer John Hendy has pointed out, it “appears helpful but in fact has led to a massive increase across Europe in the number of workers employed through agencies and hence without the full rights of directly employed workers”

Loophole: self-employment

There are now 4.6 million self-employed workers in Britain, according to the Office for National Statistics, and on average they work longer hours than employed workers. Their wages have fallen by around 22 per cent since 2008.

Taking on the union myth-makers

Just about every union in Britain has policy opposing privatisation. Many are committed to fighting TTIP. It is the EU that is spearheading these attacks on workers.

It shouldn't be if Britain leaves the EU, but when