Left-supporting CWU’s National Executive Committee approves anti-referendum motion for ratification at its conference this week: “it is time for the UK to move on“

CWU, the Communication Workers’ Union, is one of the UK’s major Labour-affiliated trade unions – and one of the most solidly pro-Corbyn. Members submitted a motion to the union’s conference, which begins today in Bournemouth, emphatically rejecting the notion of campaigning for a new Brexit referendum – and calling on the UK to move on from the ‘hugely divisive’ issue.

“the overriding principle should be Labour’s Manifesto commitment to accept the result of the referendum and deliver a Brexit deal that prioritises jobs and living standards”

The full motion reads (emphases added):

EMERGENCY MOTION – BREXIT



Conference notes the decision of the European Council on 10th April 2019 to extend the UK’s exit date under article 50 to 31st October and that nearly three years on from the referendum, as a result of the Tories’ complete mishandling of negotiations, the future of the UK’s relationship with the EU is still mired in uncertainty.



The referendum itself was hugely divisive and the mainstream campaign was dominated by two right-wing visions for the future – on the one hand defending the status quo and on the other offering up right-wing populism. Neither came close to representing the interests or the voice of workers.



Since then, Conference recognises that the division of the UK along Leave and Remain lines has become more entrenched. Whilst Labour Party policy has been to keep all options on the table, this Conference believes that the overriding principle should be Labour’s Manifesto commitment to accept the result of the referendum and deliver a Brexit deal that prioritises jobs and living standards. Therefore, Conference endorses the NEC position not to campaign for a second referendum/people’s vote and recognises that the CWU’s primary role is to unite our members and all workers around a transformative domestic agenda that builds on Labour’s 2017 Manifesto and delivers a new deal for workers. However, in the event of a further vote taking place, Conference instructs the NEC to hold a national policy forum to agree the union’s position.



Furthermore, while Conference would oppose a damaging no-deal scenario, we believe it is time for the UK to move on and would support a deal agreed by the Labour leadership which protects workers and avoids a hard border between The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The CWU should continue to argue that any deal should be consistent with a democratic socialist transformation of the UK economy in relation to competition, the undercutting of workers and public ownership and investment.



Given growing levels of inequality in the UK, as evidenced by a decade of stagnating wages, an explosion of in-work and child poverty, homelessness and insecurity, and Tory-led austerity, Conference recognises that, in or out of the EU, the only thing that will really improve CWU members’ and workers’ lives is a transformative Labour government that will deliver an irreversible shift in wealth and power in the UK. Conference agrees that fighting to secure this must continue to be the number one priority of our political work.



The NEC is instructed accordingly.

SKWAWKBOX comment:

In a week where the Labour Party’s NEC will finalise Labour’s position on any so-called ‘confirmatory vote’ or referendum, one of Labour’s major union partners has delivered a clear and emphatic message:



In or out of the EU, Tory government is a disaster for this country. In or out of the EU, only a Labour government can bring the change millions are crying out for.



The CWU gets it.

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