Labour EU reforms shadow Conservative aspirations
Jonathan Lindsell, 5 May 2015
Labour might well form the next government, either with the Liberal Democrats and SNP, or as a minority. This could be a significant setback for those who want radical reform of Britain’s EU membership, or an end to it. Labour’s manifesto does mention reform, but has less precise goals than those of Conservative MPs like Brian Binley. However, reading between the lines is revealing.
‘Our reforms will help deliver a Europe focused on jobs and growth, not simply more austerity and rising unemployment.’
This implies greater business investment from EU funding, perhaps mirroring Labour’s domestic policy to fund apprenticeships and guaranteed jobs. Opposition to EU austerity appeals to the left, but indicates a reverse of David Cameron’s policy to oppose EU budget rises – and that suggests higher UK payments.
However, the next line calls for ‘tougher budget discipline… driving reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and a Commission-led zero-based review of spending on EU agencies’.
That sounds positively Conservative in intention, but might not inspire the same confidence given Tony Blair’s failure to cut the CAP.
Echoes of Tory backbenchers continue: ‘We will ensure EU rules protect the interests of non-Euro members.’
If the Eurozone could outvote Britain and force unwelcome rules across the whole EU, it would be a procedural and constitutional affront, not a policy dispute, so Labour’s stance is logical.
Ed Miliband’s discussion of migration is more ambiguous, but significant overlap is evident: ‘we will secure reforms to immigration and social security rules, as well as pushing for stronger transitional controls, which will enable member states to manage the flow of workers for longer when new countries join.’
Britain already has transition control powers over new members, and could always veto new accessions.
More concrete are plans for 1,000 extra border agents, funded by charging non-visa visitors, and a two-year wait for migrants’ benefits eligibility. Promises to restrict criminal entry and deport those who commit crimes here could easily flow from Ukip or Conservative lips – although Labour vow to end indefinite migrant detention. The annual Australian-style cap on skilled non-EU workers would remain. The only big difference is Miliband’s emphasis on banning ‘recruitment agencies from hiring only from overseas and crack down on rogue agencies… where there is evidence of abuse.’
‘We will also continue to open up EU decision-making, and implement institutional reforms to help build levels of trust… arguing for a ‘red-card mechanism’ for member states, providing greater parliamentary scrutiny.’
This is almost exactly the reform proposed by Sir Bill Cash and Bernard Jenkin, similar to that of LSE lawyer Damian Chalmers.
On a referendum, the manifesto promises ‘a lock that guarantees that there can be no transfer of powers… without the consent of the British public through an in/out referendum.’
This lock already exists.
Labour’s EU reform promises resemble those of Eurosceptic parties, only diluted and couched in workers’ rights terms. If Labour form the next government, reformists will be keen to keep Miliband true to his word.