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HelenDC #FBPE @Helenreflects
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A brief historical note:
Medieval peasants (serfs) were tied to the land and could not move from the land unless they became freemen. This lack of freedom of movement obviously didn't benefit them, but their lords, who could exploit them as they wished /1
The serf system declined in part due to greater migration in the 14th century after the Great Plague. By migrating, serfs could vote with their feet and demand better conditions. Free movement across the land empowers workers, does not stifle their opportunities 2/
If we look at freedom of movement, unless we adhere to a narrow view of workers as only British workers, we can likewise see that freedom of movement benefits workers. 3/
A text @jeremycorbyn is likely familiar with
This is the final struggle
Let us group together, and tomorrow
The Internationale
Will be the human race.
The key terms here are "internationale" and "human race", not "British worker, Mr Corbyn 4/
Ah but people will say, undoubtedly say, "But Corbyn is talking about *employers* who *import migrants* (note the dehumanizing language). He's talking about the EU posted workers directive! Clever, but no. Talk about employers undercutting wages or, as he said elsewhere... 5/
"wholesale importation of underpaid workers from central Europe in order to destroy conditions, particularly in the construction industry."
newstatesman.com/politics/stagg… 6/
Note how he speaks about us "wholesale importation", note the dehumanizing way of talking. Would he speak like this about employers, e.g., underpaying women thereby undercutting everyone's wages, or would that sound horribly misogynist? 7/
No, this is classic dogwhistle xenophobia dressed up as concern with what employers do. The posted workers directive is a tiny % of Uk workforce and is already being addressed by EU. A smokescreen. See excellent thread by @antoni_UK here 8/
Note also that freedom of movement is a two-way street, allowing British workers (presently) to vote with their feet if they don't like it. Freedom of movement is the ultimate moving away from a medieval system that keeps people as tied to the land, and affords greater freedom 9/
By wanting to stay in the custom's union, but not the single market, @UKLabour is signing up to a neoliberal world where goods can pass freely but people cannot. That is not empowering workers, but precisely the opposite /ends
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