EU referendum

Brexit brinkmanship: after 4 years, it’s the safe bet that wins the race

As the UK and the EU announce a trade deal, Martin Hall considers it, and looks back on the most divisive issue to beset the left in a generation
Summer Brexit report: Britain drowns beneath the waves

As the UK reels under the double impact of the pandemic and recession, the Brexit deadline is coming over the horizon, argues Martin Hall
No centrist surge, but a fragmenting Europe: European elections explained

European politics is increasingly fragmented, which poses important challenges but also opportunities for the radical left, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica
No confidence in May, and no confidence in this failing government: a general election is the only option

This government is sustained by class hatred alone. But they are weak and we must keep up the pressure for a general election
Brexit: the uncivil war - review

Channel 4's feature-length drama on the EU referendum presents voters as dupes but also shows the cluelessness of the establishment, argues Martin Hall
The establishment seems to have forgotten we live in a parliamentary democracy: let's remind them

We must demand a general election to resolve this crisis, argues Chris Nineham
Whether Theresa May wins or loses this no confidence vote, her time is up

There is no clear way out for May, and only one solution for the country - she has got to go
The Tories are incapable of delivering Brexit: we must push them out and do it ourselves

A number of contradictions are causing the Tories to lose grip; Reuben Bard-Rosenberg looks at why they have no clear way of holding on
May's deal is dead: this is what must happen next

Only a general election can break the impasse, and to make it happen we need to get out on the streets and pile the pressure on, argues Martin Hall
Equating fascism with Brexit is disastrous, irresponsible and gives a hand up to Tommy Robinson

Arguments tying opposition to fascism with opposition to Brexit makes out half the country as Tommy Robinson supporters. This is idiotic in the extreme, argues Kevin Ovenden
Stop Tommy Robinson, All out for 17 November - Counterfire Freesheet November 2018

Opposing the far right, people's vote, police racism, precarious workers, climate chaos, universal credit and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet
EU summit: nothing much happens, but the crisis continues

Little progress was made in the Brexit negotiations, and Tory MPs are losing patience with May, finds Martin Hall
Learnt nothing and forgotten everything: the next crash is coming - weekly briefing

Finance capital is a game for the rich and when it goes wrong it's our side who are expected to pay the price, argues Lindsey German
The TUC are wrong about a second referendum

A second referendum would be a disaster for the working people the TUC are supposed to represent, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
Brexit and the left, two years on

The left should not avoid political struggle, it should actively work to shape the outcomes of political crisis argues David Bush
After the final days of May

This is the start of a new phase of the crisis, not the end of it, writes John Rees
Theresa May tries to unite party with vacuous Brexit speech

Theresa May has attempted to trump Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit speech but she still has no credibility
What does Corbyn's Brexit speech really mean?

Jeremy Corbyn has outlined the Labour party's position on Brexit - in particular, regarding the customs union - Martin Hall breaks it down
The second coming of the referendum

Calls for a second Brexit referendum, from the unholy confluence of establishment Remain and Farage, must be resisted by all the left, argues Martin Hall
Can Vince Cable save the Lib Dems?

What does the future hold for the party?
Lindsey German takes on Blair on Brexit on Sky News - video

Tony Blair says it is 'absolutely necessary' that Brexit doesn't go ahead. Lindsey German has her say
Brexit: division and unity on the Left

Brexit gives us a unique opportunity. Let's take it
Class is back - the Scottish Question must be recast

Class is back - for it to advance requires anti-capitalist politics, not the frontist politics of being to the left of whatever seems like a temporary solution to a fundamental dilemma, writes Kevin Ovenden
Lindsey German debates Brexit on Sky News - video

Lindsey German debates the issues surrounding Brexit with Michael Gove and others on Sky News
Counterfire’s top ten hits of the year

John Rees looks back on the most read Counterfire articles of 2016
Next stop… the People’s Brexit

The missteps of the ruling class can create space for our side, notes Lindsey German
Hard vs soft Brexit: a Tory party crisis

Divisions and rifts run rife in the Conservative Party as they try to figure out what "Brexit means Brexit" actually means explains Chris Bambery
Socialist Register 2016: The Politics of the Right

The rise of the populist right shows that the centre cannot hold, and a socialist alternative is the only solution, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh
Jeremy Corbyn's new politics is a threat to the establishment

This moment offers an opportunity for radical change, but the path to victory lies in political confrontation, argues Kevin Ovenden
Brexit from afar: a view from the Balkans

Dragan Plavšić offers an alternative take on Britain’s decision to leave the EU, the rise in racist incidents, and considers parallels with Yugoslavia
The fight is on - help us hit our campaign target

We need your help to finance the resistance
Why we voted leave: voices from northern England - documentary

A short look at why those in the north of England mainly voted to leave the EU - from Guerrera Films
Only a Corbyn victory can open a path out of the crisis

The post-referendum crisis can only be resolved by the left, argues John Rees
Mobilising against shameful Labour coup

While Jeremy resists pressure on him to resign, Lindsey German argues we must organise to support him
Strategy beyond the referendum

As the established order falls apart, Chris Bambery argues how the left should respond
How the left should deal with the referendum results

With many of the old political certainties breaking up, Lindsey German argues that the left have to rise to the challenge.
UK after the rain

Shabbir Lakha looks beyond the media blizzard surrounding last week’s referendum result and identifies anti-racist work as a campaigning imperative
This vote was about far more than immigration

The vote to leave the EU was fuelled by class divisions, argues Alastair Stephens
End austerity - general election now! Lexit statement on leave vote

As the UK votes to leave the EU, let's take the fight to the Tories
Looking beyond the Referendum

Whatever the outcome, the left will have to unite after the referendum to fight against racism, austerity and war argues Lindsey German.
The EU is no friend to refugees

The EU is has a terrible record on it's treatment of refugees, argues Shabbir Lakha
Getting ready for the 24th

After a bleak week, Lindsey German surveys the pre-referendum terrain and offers some starting points for future campaigning
Brexit, the economy, immigration and the Labour Party

Where are the economic arguments for anti-austerity and a new equality across Europe, asks Brian Heron
Why African-Caribbeans should vote for a Left Exit from the EU

As well as the EU's role in economic and social devastation in Africa, minority ethnic groups in Europe bear the brunt of EU austerity argues Kwesi Adabunu
Don't thank the EU for equal pay

The principle of equal pay was won through struggle, writes Lindsey German
In or out: what is the future for British capitalism?

Whichever way the vote goes on 23 June, Chris Bambery argues we all need to come together to resist austerity and racism
EU referendum: a growing sense of panic

A vote to leave the EU seems a distinct possibility, and anti-capitalists need to ready for what lies ahead, writes Chris Bambery
Should we stay or should we go?

Alex Gordon, convenor of Lexit – The Left Leave Campaign and former president of the RMT trade union, talks to Counterfire about the upcoming EU referendum
Things fall apart

The EU referendum is just one of many problems facing our rulers
Catching up with Portugal: the nature of English decline

50 years ago England beat Portugal in the ’66 World Cup Final but Mark Perryman argues English decline has left England racing to keep up with their Euro rivals
Unions: the EU offers us nothing

Many trade unionists will be voting to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum. An ASLEF, BFAWU and RMT statement explains why
The courage of conviction: why a tactical 'remain' vote makes no sense

Vladimir Unkovski-Korica points out the glaring contradictions in Paul Mason's argument to boycott the EU referendum
The dying days of a dying regime

These are end times for David Cameron’s rule, but our side still has to act, argues Chris Bambery
Switching sides: how some of the left bought the EU dream

The EU is an enemy of working people, as well as those fleeing poverty and war. Now more than ever, the labour movement must advocate to leave
The EU referendum and the Left

Obama's remarks have shown that the EU is a constraint on anything democratic and popular that may fall foul of the capitalist class, writes Alex Snowdon
Debunked: 12 left-wing reasons for remaining in the European Union

The referendum is not a vote on whether we want to be ‘part of Europe’. It's a vote on an institution that has done far more harm than good
EU referendum: how did we get here?

The Tories are in trouble – and it will get worse for them if the referendum delivers a vote to leave the EU, writes Alex Snowdon
Tory crisis: a class moment for the left

If the left fails to make headway in the coming ten weeks, it will be because we fail to be as radical as reality itself, writes Kevin Ovenden
The EU: ratcheting up racism

As the EU referendum draws closer, and the Tories split further, Chris Bambery looks at why the debate is not the orgy of racism that so many predicted
Left anti-EU campaign launched

Shabbir Lakha reports from the first anti-EU meeting organised by the left. This needs to be the start of a concerted campaign
Undemocratic and irreformable: why we must vote to leave the EU

As the Tories descend into civil war, we argue that a vote to leave the EU would be a blow against the neoliberal order
Brexit: In or Out? Podcast

Lindsey German and Marina Prentoulis join James Butler and Aaron Bastani to discuss Britain's forthcoming referendum on EU membership
Europe and socialist strategy

Kevin Ovenden examines the various politics strategies on offer from the European left
Why anti-capitalists should be anti-EU

Chris Bambery explains why the left has to oppose the EU, which is a neoliberal and unreformable institution
Carta a favor da saída da Grã Bretanha da União Europeia

This is a Portuguese translation of the letter by trade unionists and socialists in favour of an exit from the EU
5 reasons to leave the EU

The EU referendum will be held on 23 June. There are many reasons why Britain should leave the EU. Alastair Stephens lists just five
For a Europe of peoples

The EU is fundamentally undemocratic and cannot be reformed, argues Chris Bambery
No to Fortress Europe: solidarity with refugees and migrants

While the War on Terror has destroyed the Middle East, it has also been the source of racism across Europe
A troubled relationship: the UK and the EU

Chris Bambery takes a look at the UK's troubled relationship with the EU, both in the past and in the present
Another Europe is necessary

We cannot be neutral with regard to the upcoming referendum on EU membership. If Britain votes to stay in, we will be effectively signing up to all of Europe’s neoliberal strictures for another generation
5 reasons why we should vote to leave the EU

John Westmoreland argues that the European Union cannot be reformed and calls for a ‘No’ vote in the EU referendum
Migrants, war and the European Union

Chris Nineham goes beyond the sensationalist newspaper front pages to explain the real issues around migration and what is driving it

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EU referendum

EU referendum

As the UK and the EU announce a trade deal, Martin Hall considers it, and looks back on the most divisive issue to beset the left in a generation

As the UK reels under the double impact of the pandemic and recession, the Brexit deadline is coming over the horizon, argues Martin Hall

European politics is increasingly fragmented, which poses important challenges but also opportunities for the radical left, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica

This government is sustained by class hatred alone. But they are weak and we must keep up the pressure for a general election

Channel 4's feature-length drama on the EU referendum presents voters as dupes but also shows the cluelessness of the establishment, argues Martin Hall

We must demand a general election to resolve this crisis, argues Chris Nineham

There is no clear way out for May, and only one solution for the country - she has got to go

A number of contradictions are causing the Tories to lose grip; Reuben Bard-Rosenberg looks at why they have no clear way of holding on

Only a general election can break the impasse, and to make it happen we need to get out on the streets and pile the pressure on, argues Martin Hall

Arguments tying opposition to fascism with opposition to Brexit makes out half the country as Tommy Robinson supporters. This is idiotic in the extreme, argues Kevin Ovenden

Opposing the far right, people's vote, police racism, precarious workers, climate chaos, universal credit and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet

Little progress was made in the Brexit negotiations, and Tory MPs are losing patience with May, finds Martin Hall

Finance capital is a game for the rich and when it goes wrong it's our side who are expected to pay the price, argues Lindsey German

A second referendum would be a disaster for the working people the TUC are supposed to represent, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

The left should not avoid political struggle, it should actively work to shape the outcomes of political crisis argues David Bush

This is the start of a new phase of the crisis, not the end of it, writes John Rees

Theresa May has attempted to trump Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit speech but she still has no credibility

Jeremy Corbyn has outlined the Labour party's position on Brexit - in particular, regarding the customs union - Martin Hall breaks it down

Calls for a second Brexit referendum, from the unholy confluence of establishment Remain and Farage, must be resisted by all the left, argues Martin Hall

What does the future hold for the party?

Tony Blair says it is 'absolutely necessary' that Brexit doesn't go ahead. Lindsey German has her say

Brexit gives us a unique opportunity. Let's take it

Class is back - for it to advance requires anti-capitalist politics, not the frontist politics of being to the left of whatever seems like a temporary solution to a fundamental dilemma, writes Kevin Ovenden

Lindsey German debates the issues surrounding Brexit with Michael Gove and others on Sky News

John Rees looks back on the most read Counterfire articles of 2016

The missteps of the ruling class can create space for our side, notes Lindsey German

Divisions and rifts run rife in the Conservative Party as they try to figure out what "Brexit means Brexit" actually means explains Chris Bambery

The rise of the populist right shows that the centre cannot hold, and a socialist alternative is the only solution, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh

This moment offers an opportunity for radical change, but the path to victory lies in political confrontation, argues Kevin Ovenden

Dragan Plavšić offers an alternative take on Britain’s decision to leave the EU, the rise in racist incidents, and considers parallels with Yugoslavia

We need your help to finance the resistance

A short look at why those in the north of England mainly voted to leave the EU - from Guerrera Films

The post-referendum crisis can only be resolved by the left, argues John Rees

While Jeremy resists pressure on him to resign, Lindsey German argues we must organise to support him

As the established order falls apart, Chris Bambery argues how the left should respond

With many of the old political certainties breaking up, Lindsey German argues that the left have to rise to the challenge.

Shabbir Lakha looks beyond the media blizzard surrounding last week’s referendum result and identifies anti-racist work as a campaigning imperative

The vote to leave the EU was fuelled by class divisions, argues Alastair Stephens

As the UK votes to leave the EU, let's take the fight to the Tories

Whatever the outcome, the left will have to unite after the referendum to fight against racism, austerity and war argues Lindsey German.

The EU is has a terrible record on it's treatment of refugees, argues Shabbir Lakha

After a bleak week, Lindsey German surveys the pre-referendum terrain and offers some starting points for future campaigning

Where are the economic arguments for anti-austerity and a new equality across Europe, asks Brian Heron

As well as the EU's role in economic and social devastation in Africa, minority ethnic groups in Europe bear the brunt of EU austerity argues Kwesi Adabunu

The principle of equal pay was won through struggle, writes Lindsey German

Whichever way the vote goes on 23 June, Chris Bambery argues we all need to come together to resist austerity and racism

A vote to leave the EU seems a distinct possibility, and anti-capitalists need to ready for what lies ahead, writes Chris Bambery

Alex Gordon, convenor of Lexit – The Left Leave Campaign and former president of the RMT trade union, talks to Counterfire about the upcoming EU referendum

The EU referendum is just one of many problems facing our rulers

50 years ago England beat Portugal in the ’66 World Cup Final but Mark Perryman argues English decline has left England racing to keep up with their Euro rivals

Many trade unionists will be voting to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum. An ASLEF, BFAWU and RMT statement explains why

Vladimir Unkovski-Korica points out the glaring contradictions in Paul Mason's argument to boycott the EU referendum

These are end times for David Cameron’s rule, but our side still has to act, argues Chris Bambery

The EU is an enemy of working people, as well as those fleeing poverty and war. Now more than ever, the labour movement must advocate to leave

Obama's remarks have shown that the EU is a constraint on anything democratic and popular that may fall foul of the capitalist class, writes Alex Snowdon

The referendum is not a vote on whether we want to be ‘part of Europe’. It's a vote on an institution that has done far more harm than good

The Tories are in trouble – and it will get worse for them if the referendum delivers a vote to leave the EU, writes Alex Snowdon

If the left fails to make headway in the coming ten weeks, it will be because we fail to be as radical as reality itself, writes Kevin Ovenden

As the EU referendum draws closer, and the Tories split further, Chris Bambery looks at why the debate is not the orgy of racism that so many predicted

Shabbir Lakha reports from the first anti-EU meeting organised by the left. This needs to be the start of a concerted campaign

As the Tories descend into civil war, we argue that a vote to leave the EU would be a blow against the neoliberal order

Lindsey German and Marina Prentoulis join James Butler and Aaron Bastani to discuss Britain's forthcoming referendum on EU membership

Kevin Ovenden examines the various politics strategies on offer from the European left

Chris Bambery explains why the left has to oppose the EU, which is a neoliberal and unreformable institution

This is a Portuguese translation of the letter by trade unionists and socialists in favour of an exit from the EU

The EU referendum will be held on 23 June. There are many reasons why Britain should leave the EU. Alastair Stephens lists just five

The EU is fundamentally undemocratic and cannot be reformed, argues Chris Bambery

While the War on Terror has destroyed the Middle East, it has also been the source of racism across Europe

Chris Bambery takes a look at the UK's troubled relationship with the EU, both in the past and in the present

We cannot be neutral with regard to the upcoming referendum on EU membership. If Britain votes to stay in, we will be effectively signing up to all of Europe’s neoliberal strictures for another generation

John Westmoreland argues that the European Union cannot be reformed and calls for a ‘No’ vote in the EU referendum

Chris Nineham goes beyond the sensationalist newspaper front pages to explain the real issues around migration and what is driving it