Remain Plus For a brighter future Let the people decide
Remain Plus for a Brighter Future Whilst the politicians argue amongst themselves, the big issues facing the UK and its people are side-lined or ignored. Whilst politicians bandwidth is taken up with Brexit, their silence on vital issues such as schools, health and housing is increasingly apparent. The vote for Brexit shone a light on problems that successive Governments have consistently failed to address communities left behind, inequality, the immigration system, economic stagnation, stretched public services, crisis in housing and social care. The United Kingdom has one of the most unequal societies in Europe, where success increasingly depends on where you live, which school or university you went to, who your parents are, and who they know. With 42% of UK wealth owned by 10% of households, it is no wonder there is a breakdown of trust in our institutions and politicians. But is Brexit the solution? People have the right to decide if addressing issues, at both a UK and EU level, leading to a fairer, more positive United Kingdom is an option they wish to choose. 1
Key Arguments Economic v The Remain Dividend: Since the 2016 vote, we have lost over 400M a week (Govt. figures), more than four times the cost of membership by staying we will get a Remain Dividend v Use the Remain Dividend to build a New Deal for Society from proceeds of economic growth (Brexit has made the United Kingdom the slowest growing economy in Europe) v End austerity so we can spend more on schools, hospitals, roads and skills training for British workers and young people v If voters decided to Remain and lead reform from within the EU, there would be no need for all the Brexit-bureaucrats now employed directly by our government. Abolishing the Brexit Department and the Trade Department would mean more money for public services v Explore pensions and savings relief Regain the United Kingdom s place in the world by being a leading progressive voice in the EU, rather than being pushed around by Trump or Putin v Using British sovereignty to influence the world; protecting our food, agriculture, workers rights, children s toys. No more being pushed around by Trump and Putin. Greater security against terrorists v Address the under-funding of the armed forces and security services v Outside the EU the United Kingdom will have a lesser voice. If we remained and pushed a robust reform agenda countries like Sweden, The Netherlands, France and Italy who agree the United Kingdom would join us in setting the agenda 2
Immigration in a reformed EU no open borders, no free ride, no mass migration v Leading change in Europe - new leaders in France and Italy want a tough stance on illegal immigration, by staying in the EU, the United Kingdom could lead this and make sure it happens v Use existing powers to restrict movement - Open borders have always been a choice we could take a tough approach to immigrants like they do in Belgium: v All EU immigrants will have to register v No benefits for the first four years v If they can t find a job within 6 months, they have to go home v We only get immigrants who work hard, such as nurses for the NHS - We have always had control of our borders, but now we will have the money to keep out people we don t want the Remain Dividend and sacking Brexit- Bureaucrats would mean more Border Staff - We can ensure the EU has a tough policy on asylum seekers and only lets in people in genuine need, so no mass migration The United Kingdom regaining its place in the world v No more threat to peace in Northern Ireland and no new reason for Scotland to leave the UK - Irish peace matters to us all, in a reformed EU we keep the Irish border safe and keep Northern Ireland at peace v Keep close security ties to Europe, so fewer threats from terrorists - Terrorists work across borders so we need the closest cooperation with friends and allies in Europe to defeat them v Keep all our trade deals no need to grovel to Trump or do a desperate deal with America no chlorine-washed chicken or genetically modified vegetables - America wants us to drop our food standards for a trade deal let s keep our food safe v No more being pushed around by Trump or having our elections interfered with by Putin 3
In a reformed EU the United Kingdom can have the best of both worlds v Not in Schengen so we control our borders v Not in the Euro, but we make the Pound strong again v Not in a federal Europe but benefit from close economic ties that keep us prosperous v Not a rule-taker but a rule-maker v No paying for bailouts In a Remain Plus agenda - domestic issues UK politicians should be focussing on Below are just a few suggestions of where politicians could concentrate their efforts to help secure a better future for the people of the United Kingdom. v Reshaping the Economy - Change the pursuit of a single bottom line of profit, to a triple bottom line of people, profit and planet - Pursue an industrial strategy focused on economic growth, through investment in infrastructure such as transport links - Improve the United Kingdom s industrial base, drive up exports, raise productivity (the amount of economic output generated per hour worked) and address the regional imbalances in the UK economy - Company directors to be given regulatory duties that go further than just addressing the interests of shareholders - Have workers on company boards and remuneration committees - Promote competition and protecting consumers - Set up a new regulator for increasingly powerful internet / social media / digital platforms - Google, Facebook etc, including giving people greater access to their own data - Tackle tax avoidance and stop dodgy money coming into the UK s financial system - Tackle wealth inequality 4
- Pension and saving reform - Build more homes - allow local authorities / councils to prioritise affordable homes - Review taxes to make them fairer and simpler v Environmental Sustainability - Limit environmental damage caused by individual industries. Discuss laws to require industries to set long-term plans to reduce pollutants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - Expand the green industrial strategy to promote the reduction of carbon dioxide, increase use of recycled materials and conserve natural habitats v Educational Reform - Thorough review of the educational system so we are no longer a country where the Three Rs reading, writing and numeracy skills are on the decline, with about a quarter of adults having a reading age so low they struggle to read a bus timetable - Review multi-academy trusts and the unaccountable corporates running our schools - Urgently address the issue of failing schools in poorer areas - Plan for skills training and a curriculum that reflects the workplace of the future v Devolution - Energise a new conversation about devolving more economic powers and finances to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and regions through new economic zones for the North, Midlands, South-West, and South-East of England 5
v The Constitution & Democracy - Discuss codifying or writing down some of the British constitution - Explore democratic reform in the face of professional politics, elitism and eroding public trust - Seize the opportunity for dynamic change that can strengthen our representative democracy 6