April 3 – Great Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union (EU) on April 12, with or without an agreement on how that will work. Prime Minister Theresa May is planning to meet with opposition leaders in a last try for an orderly “Brexit.”
Why should workers care?
- Many white workers are suffering economically and disgusted with ruling-class politicians. Cynical “Leave” politicians mobilized many of these disgruntled workers around xenophobia and patriotism.
Now things are getting worse. The cost of living will rise while wages stagnate and social benefits are cut. Inequality and poverty are expected to rise. Already in Britain, black and south Asian workers and youth are hit the hardest.
Let’s understand that all forms of racism are attacks on the whole working class.
- Brexit will make it harder for workers to come to Britain from other EU countries. The British government plans to replace them with non-EU workers through “temporary migration programs.”
These workers would be highly vulnerable to abuse and super-exploitation. They would get no social welfare benefits. England’s “bracero” programs would drive down wages and working conditions for all workers.
- Brexit signals the fraying of the post-World War II order. The EU developed in a 50-year process of greater economic and political integration. It was meant, among other things, to deter further European wars.
Like anything else, European unity contained contradictions. Some – like the Cold War opposition of eastern and western Europe – were resolved in ways that strengthened European unity. Brexit might, too. Or it could turn out to be the first step in a new fragmentation of Europe.
Britain itself could unravel. Its only land border is with Ireland, an EU member. Northern Ireland (part of Great Britain) strongly opposed Brexit. It could well secede to rejoin Ireland. Voters in Scotland also opposed Brexit. It could also secede after 300 years as part of Britain.
- Instability in Europe means sharpening inter-imperialist rivalry and increasing possibilities for war.
After the EU, Britain’s largest trading partners are the US and China. Both will try to cash in on Brexit.
Meanwhile, Russia-UK trade continues to grow, despite sharp diplomatic conflicts. Russia has been accused of trying to influence the Brexit referendum in favor of “Leave.”
Looming in the background is China’s increasing involvement in Europe. Italy just became the first European country to sign on to China’s “One Belt, One Road” program. Will this isolate Italy further from Germany and France, the core of the EU? Or will Europe follow?
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Capitalists have their nations, but we the masses form one global working class. We, but not they, can truly integrate production and distribution of goods globally. We, but not they, can provide meaningful work and necessary goods to our entire working-class family.
The only way we can do this is by mobilizing for communist revolution and a total transformation of society.
Sometimes this seems impossible. The international order of class society seems rock-solid and unchangeable. Brexit is just one indication that nothing could be more untrue.
When instability shakes up capitalist institutions, it’s our opportunity to topple them. Workers have nothing to lose but our chains. We have the world to win.
