On 12th May there is a public debate organised from the University of Brighton’s School of Humanities on the European Union Referendum. Caroline Lucas (MP for Brighton Pavilion) will be debating Tom Hickey of the University on ”In’ or ‘Out’ – which Way for the Left?’ Details are below.

It’s at 8pm on 12th May in The Old Courtroom, Church Street. If you would be interested in attending this event, please let Cathy Bergin know so that the School of Humanities can make an assessment of numbers.

 

A DEBATE

‘In’ or ‘Out’ of Europe – which Way for the Left?

Caroline Lucas

(MP for the Brighton Pavilion Constituency)

and

Tom Hickey

(Lecturer in Philosophy and Political Economy)

The first half of the referendum debate has been a distortion of the central issues. One side has argued for British withdrawal to escape the constraints of EU legislation on UK policy, and to restore UK sovereignty.  The other argues for continued British membership but in a EU whose protective legislation and regulations are weakened in the interests of those who benefit from the free market and neo-liberal policies.

There is another debate entirely. It is one that is not confined to pursuing neo-liberal policies outside the EU against those who want the same policies pursued within the Union.

This different debate is one about justice, equality and environmental sustainability.  It is between those who think these values are best pursued as part of the EU, and those who think the nature and structure of the EU to be incompatible with them.

The different positions in this debate do not defend ‘little England’ as a preferable place to be.  Nor are they about the best conditions for the operation of market capitalism.  They are about human need and flourishing, and whether the EU offers a route, or an obstacle, to those objectives.

That is the discussion that ought to have dominated the EU Referendum debate. Here is a contribution to that discussion: two introductory and contrasting perspectives, and plenty of time for participation in the debate.

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8pm Thursday 12th May

The Old Court House, Church Street, BN1 1UD

 Hosted by the Politics, Philosophy, Aesthetics Seminar Series, School of Humanities, University of Brighton

ADMISSION FREE & ALL WELCOME BUT SEATING AND ADMISSION ARE LIMITED

Doors open at 7.30