LETTER: EU action is crucial

In a matter of weeks, people living in the South East will go to the polls to decide if they want to remain in the European Union.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2016, 15:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:53 BST

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For Greens, the EU referendum debate must include a thorough discussion about tackling corporate power.

The ‘leave’ campaign has offered no solutions to how an isolated UK would succeed in ensuring multinational corporations do not abuse their position - when it comes to tax dodging, working conditions or environmental safeguards.

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With large businesses operating freely across borders, we need EU-wide rules more than ever, to protect the public interest.

From capping bankers’ bonuses to introducing a ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on speculative financial transactions, the EU is often ahead of the UK Government on holding corporations to account.

In response to the tax dodging scandal exposed by the Panama Papers, the European Parliament launched a full investigation into the content of these leaked documents.

My colleague Molly Scott Cato, the Green MEP for the South West, has received the support of over half a million citizens on her petition urging EU institutions to prosecute banks that allow their clients hide assets in tax havens.

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In the UK as in other EU countries, people are rising up against the controversial US-EU trade deal (TTIP), which threatens to put corporate profit above public services, environmental protection, and workers’ rights.

Opposition to TTIP in the European Parliament is growing.

It’s already meant major delays, more transparency, and significant concessions. Now is the time to stand in solidarity with anti-TTIP campaigners across Europe to win this fight.

Whilst bolder measures are required to properly protect the public interest in the face of powerful multinational corporations, we have seen that EU-level action is crucial. Greens hope that voters will take this into account when casting their ballot.

Keith Taylor

Green Party MEP for the South East

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Related topics:South EastGovernmentOppositionEurope