Tuesday 29th December 2020
I wrote to Keir Starmer yesterday .... but more on that in a moment.
Firstly I hope you’ve all had a good – and Covid safe – Christmas. On Christmas morning we woke up to snow and it’s snowed every day since. Sunday night was a bit of a blizzard and the coldest night so far but nothing the thermo-nuclear reactor we call the stove in the kitchen or the log-burner in the living room can’t cope with so we’re doing OK.
Back to my letter to Keir Starmer.
I don’t know whether it’s me or not but I just couldn’t get all excited by Johnsons triumphalist prancing on Christmas Eve. That he thought offering the UK the deal he has done with the European Union would cheer us all up beggars belief. The country is in the grip of a deadly pandemic, he’s offering massive amounts of our money to Conservative Party chums while thousands are dying because of his incompetence and he’s paying twice the amount for the vaccine that our EU neighbours are paying and still he gloats. He gloats even though the UK’s fishing industry (which contributes 0.1% of GDP to the UK economy) are complaining he’s thrown them under the bus, there’s no deal for UK financial services (which makes up something like 80% of the UK’s economy) and the holy grail of ‘sovereignty’ is looking as far distant as the Brexiteers told us it was when they kick-started this national disaster.
Then we started seeing reports that Keir Starmer would order (whip) Labour Party MP’s to support this deal. I’ve never written to an MP in my life – until yesterday. The text of my letter is below and explains in quite simple terms why I truly believe Labour should take no part in inflicting this deal on the UK. Read on …….
Sir Keir
I write to try to influence your thoughts with regard to supporting Johnson’s Brexit agreement with the European Union. I will state quite clearly that I believe you will be making a fundamental error instructing Labour Party MP’s to vote to accept this agreement.
My reasons are numerous:
It categorically fails to meet the 6 tests you insisted would need to be met to gain the support of the Labour Party.
It will be seen as the Labour Party accepting a responsibility for the fall-out and damage that will obviously follow, be that social, economic or political, when in fact all the problems that will result will be down to the Tories and should be owned by the Tories. Johnson hanged his hat on Brexit so let Johnson hang with it!
It will fatally damage any possibility of Labour in Scotland regaining any influence in Holyrood in the coming elections and hasten the surge for Scottish independence. Any move towards Scottish independence would, I believe, see a more vocal conversation about the reunification of the island of Ireland and a growth in a demand for Welsh independence. The EU has a good track record with small countries and I have no doubt would welcome the other parts of the UK if asked. Labour cannot be seen to be part of the reason for the breakup of the United Kingdom, something I believe is now inevitable as a direct result of Brexit. If it happens let Johnson own it, Labour should be resisting it tooth and nail.
It will not encourage the lost Labour voters in the so-called ‘red-wall’ seats. The failure of Johnson to deliver the promises he made about Brexit will bring them back. The only influence any decision of yours to support this deal will have is to drive Labour Members and voters you already have away – people like me, a member since 1981.
Johnson’s deal will impoverish millions of lives one way or another, be that increased use of food banks, increased unemployment, decreased educational opportunities or decimated industry. I cannot sit idly by and let that happen without speaking out. If you whip Labour MP’s to support this deal you will be as much to blame as Johnson for the outcome and the damage that will be done to the UK and its people. Labour under Corbyn let the UK down during the Brexit debate. You have the opportunity to repair some of that damage.
I spent something like 20 years as an active Trade Unionist and during that period I often had to stand before massed meetings explaining unpalatable facts to people who were directly affected by the decisions that needed to be taken. In all those years I saw my job as being to tell the truth, to tell my members when I thought they were following the wrong path and not to give in to populist ideas – always the easiest and laziest way because you always had someone to blame when the proverbial hit the fan. Leadership takes courage, the courage of ones convictions and the courage to stand your ground when you know something is wrong.
You say Labour needs leadership. I say Labour needs a brave leader who stands by his principles, his beliefs and is prepared to risk upsetting the populists. I thought you were that man when I voted for you as leader. If you fail this test the Labour Party under you will lose my support and vote and whilst my single vote will be of no interest to you I am certain there will be many more who think – and will behave – as I do.
I urge you to think again.
Yours
Jeremy Brookes
Membership Number A018848
I also copied in the Labour Party National Executive Council for good measure, an august body that includes an old comrade of mine from my Union days. One of the NEC members has responded to me – a lady called Ann Black who is a Constituency Representative – and who seemed to be understanding of my position.
If Starmer whips MP’s to support the agreement my 40 year relationship with the Labour Party will be over for as long as Starmer is the leader – a small gesture on my part I know as I’m sure he couldn’t give a shit but one I feel really strongly about.
I’ll close now – I’m really upset about how things are developing back home and I’ll only start a rant which, in these times, is far from appropriate. Just let me offer you all the very best of New Year wishes. Stay Covid safe and here’s to a better 2021 than we had a 2020.
Much love
Jem