What do you think about... the Euro?

Submitted by martin on 26 June, 2003 - 10:52

What should socialists do when faced with a choice between two options, neither of which are going to be beneficial to the working class? How should socialists vote in a Euro referendum?
Some socialists believe voting 'no' to the Euro is the only answer. They feel that if Britain joined the single currency, it would subject the working class here to the power of reactionary bureaucrats in Brussels. They also believe that the euro will bring cuts, and if it is brought in, it will mean a victory for the Blairites and their capitalist partners in crime. Because socialists are anti-capitalists, they say, we must logically oppose the capitalist euro. These socialists often also oppose the idea of the EU, viewing it as nothing more than a bureaucratic club for capitalists.

I strongly oppose the 'no' socialists. I believe that, no matter how socialistic one makes their intentions appear, a victory for the 'no' camp would be a victory for the Tories, the 'little Englanders' and the nazi BNP. I'm not suggesting that 'no' socialists agree with those people - far from it - but to advocate a 'no' vote is, however grudgingly, to line up in their camp.

Conversely, some socialists support the idea of the Euro and advocate a 'yes' vote in a referendum. They believe that entering the euro zone will bring more jobs for workers in this country, and that it will make it easier for British workers to work in Europe. They also support the idea of European unity, and feel that a 'yes' vote expresses this.

I certainly believe in European unity; I want to see the working classes of all countries in Europe unite to overthrown their rulers and create workers' governments and a new Socialist United States of Europe. But I do not advocate a 'yes' vote.

Closer European unity is desirable, even under capitalism, but the euro is an attempt to erode European national boundaries in order to create larger capitalist markets. Because of my belief in European unity, I support the principle of the euro. But I want that currency to be introduced on our terms - workers' terms - not on the terms of the capitalists and the bosses.

That's why I call for 'active abstention,' voting neither no nor yes to the Euro, but advocating a united Europe of workers' governments. I'd encourages voters to spoil the ballot papers by writing 'for a workers' Europe' or similar slogan across it.

Socialists believe in unity, and the euro will bring closer unity. But it's unity on the capitalists' terms, not on ours, and that's why a 'yes' vote - while we may support the idea in principle - is not correct. Neither is a 'no' vote - a vote which lines you up behind the right wing and would be a blow to the cause of European unity.

I think that socialists should support neither the pound nor the euro, but look to unite with workers all over Europe to overthrow the bureaucrats and capitalists once and for all.

WORKERS OF EUROPE, UNITE!

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