Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The history of the European Union is one of defeats in popular votes in Ireland on Nice and Lisbon, in France and the Netherlands on the EU constitution, in Greece last year on the austerity package and now in Britain. Each time, the response of the establishments across Europe was not to question why people rejected the project. Instead, the EU's guiding principle was contained in the words of Mr. Bertolt Brecht, namely, that it would be easier to dissolve the people and elect another. It seems that the Labour Party is an adherent of Brecht in that respect.

The Brexit vote must not be treated in that way. Instead, it should be used to open a discussion about what kind of Europe we have. Do we continue with the elitist, anti-democratic project of this capitalist Europe, a Europe that dictates water charges and austerity, an authoritarian Europe where the European Central Bank intervenes to remove elected governments, a fortress Europe that concludes disgusting deals to imprison migrants in Turkey and a militarised Europe that is today discussing accelerated co-operation with NATO?

Alternatively, do we build a very different Europe - a socialist Europe for the 99% built on democracy, solidarity and co-operation?

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