This article by Eoin Ó Murchú was published in Unity, the weekly publication of the Irish Communist Party.
WHILE the British prime minister Keir Starmer preens himself over the reset of relations between the UK and the EU – a reset warmly welcomed by the capitalist government in Dublin – the stark reality remains that this reset offers nothing to workers in Ireland or Britain who are being squeezed by higher prices, social welfare cuts and missed employment opportunities.
While there may be some minor changes, in agribusiness and veterinary goods, as a result of changes in the sea border regime, the exploitation of workers continues apace with British Labour enthusiastically defending the City of London, and the profits of financial institutions, against all comers.
Starmer, and the reactionary wing of the British Labour Party which he represents, is moving to try and undo Brexit bit by bit.
Of course, under the Tories – or potentially in the future under Nigel Farage’s Reform party – the possibilities of Brexit to allow the re-establishment of a strong state industrial sector were never explored, as, instead, the flames of imperial delusion were fanned by Tory and Starmerite together.
Indeed, Starmer’s main “achievement” – if achievement it is – is that Britain can participate in the EU’s intensified militarisation programme, if preparations for war being pursued at the expense of the welfare of those citizens most in need.
This is particularly acutely felt in the North, where the Stormont executive is deprived of the funds it needs to provide comprehensive welfare for the citizens and develop job opportunities that would allow this part of Ireland to grow.
In the South, it is becoming increasingly apparent that its blind loyalty to the EU and the once accompanying Atlantic partnership has led Ireland into a cul-de-sac, escape from which is beyond the competence of those in charge.
The reason is that it is not a reset in relations between the UK and the EU that was needed, but a reset of the relations of the capitalist economy, with everything, from housing to health to job creation transferred entirely to the profit oriented private sector.
This emphasis on the private sector is dictated by the Foundation Treaty of the European Union which demands of all member states that they pursue a market economy programme, and that the state will not interfere with or encroach upon the private sector.
So, the provision of housing is left entirely to the private sector, with the role of the state being merely to provide incentives for higher profits.
Major capital projects – like the national children’s hospital – wildly above budget and still with no completion date – and the proposed Metro transport line are used to provide greater profits for investors, while the projects themselves fail to materialise.
Like Starmer, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is happy to serve the interests of big business, and allow workers to be squeezed at every point.
What we need, North and South, is for the state to take possession of the commanding heights of the economy, especially in the finance and investment sectors, developing an integrated employment policy, and ensuring we have a workforce with high levels of skill to enable us to have the ability to circumvent the damaging impact that Trump’s economic programme will have on us – damage that has been magnified by our all eggs in one basket approach.
We need the state to develop the economies, North and South, to meet the needs of people for good jobs, good wages, good services and good opportunities.
Neither Union with Britain nor Union with Europe will allow us to do this.
We are paying a heavy price for the sectarian divisions which weaken workers’ ability to fight the exploitive system, and the delusions of those who believe that European imperialism will magically be better than British imperialism.