Big sections of the working class know what is coming and oppose the EEC because they correctly see it as part of the ruling class's attempt to solve the economic crisis at their expense. But in order to launch into a campaign against the EEC with enthusiasm, the working class needs to know what is the alternative to British capitalism in the Market.
The 'lefts' have completely failed to make any effective reply to Wilson's anti-working class policies. Jones and Foot are against staying in Europe but defend the social contract. Benn has refused to put up any state funds if the Post Office goes ahead with its present pay rise but has the most sympathetic attitude when it comes to doling out subsidies to British Leyland.
At last week's meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Tribune group MPs 1500650 admitted that the Chancellor has little alternative to the course he described as ZTACON "the stony road". Over the Prevention of Terrorism Act the lefts' filed into the yes' lobby like obedient sheep and voted for what even Jenkins called "draconian" measures. The campaign of the left' MPs over Shrewibury has been restricted to avoid embarrassing Wilson By failing to come up with alternative socialist policies to Wilson and company the "lefts" have opened the door for them on the EEC. The narrow nationalism of the lefts -their economic policy basically amounts to the reactionary plea for import controls-means that they can offer nothing better than an isolated decrepit British capitalism, a prospect which is hardly likely to enthuse the working class. Indeed, Wilson plays directly on this drab and uninspiring picture painted by his 'left' critics to issue dire warnings of the consequences if Britain does not stay in the EEC.
Because they do not provide a socialist alternative to the capitalist Common Market, the Labour lefts' are condemned to complete impotence in the face of Wilson. But even worse, the thrust of their campaign goes completely against the chances of creating international working class solidarity. How can you conceivably work for the international class struggle while talking about import restrictions, immigration controls, the threat from 'German and French' goods, and so on?
This nationalism of the Labour left has always been completely reactionary. its worst it helps to promote chauvinism and racism, and ties the working class to capitalism's wars. But even in trade tnion struggles it is incapable of developing the necessary international solidarity of the working class. This is above all seen in the inability of the retormists to respond to the increased internationalisation of capital since the Second World War—a development seen most importantly in the struggle against the EEC and against the multinational firms.
In the unfolding international class struggle revolutionary anti-nationalist politics are not merely needed in the great events. Without revolutionary internationalist politics, not even the day-to-day interests of the working class can be adequately defended. The struggle against the EEC has to be linked to a massive drive to create international working class links on every field of class struggle. The fight against international companies is a key starting point for this.
NO
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Dossier compiled by Alan Jones Charles Udry Bob Pennington MULTINATIONALS