Labour publishes European Election Manifesto

Marking International Workers’ Day, the Labour Party has published our manifesto for the elections to the European Parliament. Across the three European constituencies Labour’s candidates launched our proposals as they campaign on May Day for improved rights for workers, European support for public housing and leadership on climate action.

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin said:

“The 2019 European Parliament elections are critically important for Ireland’s future and the future direction of the European project. Labour is offering three of our best as candidates for the European Parliament. 

“Labour and our allies want a Social Europe that recognises the failings of the current model and dedicates itself to improving people’s lives. European workers need a pay rise, after years of wages not keeping pace with economic growth, and they need public investment to restore health care, education and other public services that have been deprived of money for far too long.

“Europe needs to engage in a massive programme of investment to improve aging infrastructure and to reverse the growth of inequality that is alienating millions of people from the benefits of European co-operation.

“Our track record is one of strengthening workers’ rights, fighting for better pay and conditions, and supporting sustainable growth in the economy.”

Our manifesto, “Ireland’s Future in a Social Europe” outlines the key commitments by the Labour Party for the European election including proposals to:

  • Limit the harm from Brexit, where our priority is to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods.
  • Secure the use of EU structural funds for investment in public housing.
  • Deliver a European floor on workers’ rights and strengthen Social Europe.
  • Reform the Eurozone by amending the mandate of the European Central Bank to include the reduction of unemployment as part of its decision making.
  • Lead on climate action to reduce carbon emissions, and implement a Green New Deal.
  • Improved quality of life for all with a new social contract for Europe.
  • Strengthen European democracy.

“The European Union, in the past, was led by socialists and social democrats, and as a result ensured higher standards of worker protection than existed in the United States or other major economies. However, as technology and the nature of work have changed, and as the EU has become more dominated by right-wing governments across Europe, rules to protect workers have not kept pace, and the EU has become narrowly focused on deregulation, market liberalisation and competition law.

“We need Labour parties to be stronger in the European Parliament, and in member states, to force economic policies to go in a new direction.

“Only a vote for Labour Party candidates can deliver on a social Europe.”

Full document available here: https://www.labour.ie/download/pdf/labour_european_manifesto_2019_web.pdf

Summary document available here: https://www.labour.ie/download/pdf/labour_european_manifesto_summary_web.pdf

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