Prospect’s ‘Europe Matters’ motion passes at TUC Congress

A Prospect motion highlighting the importance of the UK’s relationship with the EU across the economy has been passed at TUC Congress in Brighton today, Tuesday 9 September.

Moving the motion, Prospect Director of Communications and Research, Kieren Walters, told Congress:

“Independent estimates of the long term hit to our annual GDP from Brexit trade barriers range from 4-8%. To put that in perspective, in means something of the order of £100-200bn pounds a year in lost economic output.

“That is roughly the same as the entire NHS budget. We see this among our own members. Scientists cut off from European research collaboration; creative workers unable to tour in Europe due to new visa rules; Regulators drowning in paperwork due to new border checks.

“Congress, this bad Brexit deal is holding our economy back, holding our public services back, and holding our members back. Prospect welcomes the Labour government’s reset of the relationship with Europe, but we need to quickly turn warm words into real action.”

Proposals in the motion call on the TUC General Council to lobby the UK government to full rejoin Erasmus+ and to maintain pressure on the government to remove barriers for musicians touring in the EU.

It must also evaluate proposals to change the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and press trade union priorities through the Domestic Advisory Group (which is chaired by Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy.)

Walters told delegates at Congress that ‘Europe matters… because the truth matters.’

He said:

“Like it or not, this issue is not going away. The forces behind this disastrous Brexit deal aren’t content with the damage they have already done, they want to finish the job of trashing our economy and our public services.

“Congress, this movement must ensure that this does not go unchallenged… We also need to make this case in our workplaces and our communities in the crucial years ahead.

“We must continue to shine a light on the harm Brexit has done to working people. We must stand up for our members and their interests. We must stand in solidarity with our friends across Europe, and the principles of collaboration and cooperation.”

Prospect’s motion on Europe was seconded by the Musician’s Union and passed unanimously.

The 157th annual TUC Congress in Brighton runs from 7-10 September.