LEADING left-wing campaigners called on Scotland yesterday to challenge the “undemocratic” European Union and its austerity agenda.

Irish People’s Movement chairwoman Patricia McKenna told a meeting in Glasgow called by the Scottish Campaign Against Euro-Federalism she found it “ironic that the parties supporting independence are also strongly supportive the EU — which denies economic sovereignty and independence.”

The former Irish Green Party MEP said: “EU neoliberal austerity and its denial of democratic processes are actively leading to the rise of far-right parties across much of Europe.”

Left-wing Labour MP Ian Davidson said there had been “complete failure to pick up on the reality of the EU” in the Scottish referendum debate.

“There was an assumption on both sides that being in the EU was automatically good, and independence should be judged by whether it helped or hindered Scotland’s ultimate participation in the EU.

“This was so both for the No side and the Yes.”

He warned that the EU’s negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would “further elevate the interests of private capital” over national governments and the interests of workers and consumers.

But Mr Davidson and Ms McKenna agreed that the recent election result in Greece could prove a turning point.

Ms McKenna said EU leaders have already had to abandon the Troika.

“Other concessions are possible and they could be seized upon elsewhere,” she said.

“People are looking for alternatives and it is critical for the left to ensure that they are socially progressive ones.”
malcolmburns@peoples-press.com