NEED TO UNITE WORKERS AND IMMIGRANTS

The vote in Britain to exit the European Union (EU) is a victory for those who believe in the right of self-determination and who reject the pro-corporate, austerity policies of the political elites in EU. The vote says no to the EU’s vision of a world run by and for big business. It is also a rejection of the European political elite and their contempt for ordinary people

The Brexit vote is one more sign that voters are in revolt against the rigged economy and the rigged political system that created it. People want change and they will get it one way or the other.

The austerity policies pushed aggressively by the EU bankers in the wake of the 2008 economic collapse has harmed the economies of European nations. It has also led to the kind of divisions between the working class and immigrants that fueled the Brexit. The increase in anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim and anti-refugee sentiment expanded because of the EU's economic policies, and was a key driver in support of the UK's departure from the European Union. Counterproductive austerity policies, cuts in government spending and loss of government jobs having created similar hateful, nationalist rhetoric promoted by my Republican opponent Donald Trump.

We must build a culture of inclusiveness and respect, and challenge the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim pronouncements of demagogues who divide and distract us from the real source of economic distress – the economic elites throwing us all under the bus.

Government spending and job creation has historically led the United States out of recessions. I have proposed a Green New Deal which would fund a green energy transition and create millions of jobs. I also call for cancelling student loan debt – as we did for Wall Street after it crashed the economy in 2008. Liberating the younger generation to lead the way to a new economy is perhaps the most powerful stimulus package imaginable. The divisions promoting hateful xenophobia will not occur if the economy grows from the bottom, the wealth divide shrinks and people see hopeful futures.

The challenge now is to expand the political movement in the United States, Britain and beyond, that opposes austerity and the rule of bankers – including destructive corporate trade agreements like the Trans Pacific Partnership and the TTIP. We must also defend the rights of workers and immigrants, and adopt sustainable economic policies that lift up the quality of life for all while transitioning to 100% clean energy as an urgent priority to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. And we must reject the catastrophic military adventures that have caused so much of the immigration crisis to start with, while simultaneously bankrupting our economies.

We will continue to work with our fellow Greens in the UK who are already leading the way in Britain, and with Green Parties throughout Europe and beyond, to promote these urgently needed changes in all countries.

Britain has spoken for much of humanity as it rejects the failed vision of a world that prioritizes profit for the few amidst hardship for the many. Now we must build on this momentum. Together we can create a world that works for us all, that puts people, planet and peace over profit. #ItsInOurHands

The Brexit vote is a direct result of the effects of neoliberalism on economically stressed voters harmed by decades of austerity, corporate free trade and globalization that serves the economic elite. The deplorable and dangerous anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-refugee anger that neoliberalism generates can only be effectively ended through the construction of a new, more democratic, ecological, and socially just Europe. In this, I strongly support the work of the Green parties of Scotland and of England and Wales in working with progressive forces for a new European democracy to stand against both neoliberalism and neofascism

In reality, immigrants are themselves refugees from neoliberal militarism and economic domination – and have been forced to flee their homelands in search of safety and economic survival.

The only answer to this crisis is truly progressive policies – fair trade agreements, economic equality and security including the right to a job at living wages, health care and education as human rights, the cancellation of student debt, and respect for the needs and rights of immigrants. We must honor diversity and stop causing the immigration crisis through predatory economic and military policies of neoliberalism.

In order to achieve progressive policies that can address the growing crisis, we must also demand real democracy, both in the EU and the US. Only then can we begin to create an America and a world that works for all of us, that puts people, planet and peace over profit.

Before the Brexit vote I agreed with Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas and the UK Greens who supported staying in the EU but working to fix it, because the EU has many problems. They also recalled the problems that existed before the EU between European nations. The EU was created to fix those problems.

The Brexit vote should be a wake-up call to the EU -- they need to do more to respect democracy at the national level; serve the interests of the people by controlling transnational corporations, not empowering them; and protect the environment, not allow big business profits to come before the environment. As progressives we need to explain that the neoliberal policies of the EU are weakening workers, creating an expanded wealth divide as well as creating an environment where racism against immigrants can flourish. We also need to make clear it is the militarist policies of the US and NATO that is causing the migrant crisis. I still support Corbyn's, Lucas' and the UK Greens' view and hope the EU hears these concerns because they exist in many nations. If they do not fix the EU, it could fall apart.

Also see statements from European Greens https://europeangreens.eu/news/responses-f-our-member-parties-uk-referendum-results

Labour MPs are preparing to launch a bruising leadership contest that will aim to topple leader Jeremy Corbyn after he reacted to an overwhelming vote of no confidence by declaring he had no intention to resign.

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The Labour leader has so far held on despite a dramatic and destabilising coup attempt, started at the weekend, which has now seen two-thirds of his shadow cabinet step down, as well as 28 shadow ministers and 11 private parliamentary secretaries.

More than three-quarters of Labour MPs – 172 – voted to show that they had no confidence in his leadership, while 40 voted for him. Corbyn responded by issuing a warning that he had the support of Labour members, and that he was going nowhere.