Have to say I am struggling with this issue.
Being on the left I would normally go for the internationalist, co operative pre Europe view
BUT
It is clear thatEurope is just another capitalist club that we are part of.
The way they dealt with Greece and the negotiations of the tip agreement are good examples.
Socially there is an element that is positive re eu legislation working hours and green polices as well as the European court but the rise of the far right in many countries makes me wonder whether it will be as progressive in the future.
My other concern is that the benefits system in Europe is quite unique in that it relies only on being in need which is what I like about the welfare state. In Europe no other country has that which means that with free movement of labour the strains on the welfare state here are going to be huge.
There is a big part of me which thinks that by going it alone ( I don't buy all the scaremongering as capitalists don't like to affect trade) that being out of Europe means that the country will forge it's own identity which will shake the labour movement in the uk wake up.
Then the British will have to decide what sort of society they want Daves Britain or a progressive country based on equality and fairness.
This pretty much fits in with the views of tiny benn so I am in good company.
