Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit Referendum in the UK.
The push to leave the European Union became a useful vehicle for growing division, spreading hate against migrants and minorities, and masking the democratic deficit within our own system by pointing at the continent instead.
Another Europe is Possible was founded to counter hateful narratives against migrants, to celebrate the opportunities of freedom of movement, greater cooperation and lowering borders. We always argued the referendum is an opportunity to reengage with the European project and to transform the European project alongside allies from across the world. The EU’s cultural, political and economic significance is too great to be left at the hands of bureaucrats – it needs people power and effective democratic control.
We lost the referendum battle. The world is a very different place compared to a decade ago. Even with a Labour government in charge, the UK is not standing up to authoritarians globally. It is not working to advance human rights and social justice at home or abroad. It is not delivering meaningful democracy and the sense of control that people across the country crave. Yes, the economy continues to suffer the effects of Brexit. But there are multiple crises at play.
At the 10 year mark, we still see the vital importance of fighting the politics of Brexit. We need to urgently and radically transform people’s lives to stem the tide of authoritarianism. We need to tackle the corporate capture of our institutions. We need to stand up to Big Tech giants. We need to ensure the UK ends its complicity with genocide, and we need to work to actively prevent violations of human rights globally.
For us, rejoining the European Union is still a major step in the right direction, and not just a vehicle for relative economic stability. The Europe we can help build together:
- Yes to freedom of movement, no to outsourcing violent borders
- A social Europe prioritising rights, health, housing, care and education for all
- A Europe that fights, not deepens the climate crisis
- A just Europe that pays its historic dues; a just Europe that does not fund genocide
- A democratic Europe that gives citizens and not lobbyists the final say
- An informed Europe of press freedom that destroys media monopolies and defends freedom of speech