Fighting Brexit and especially a No Deal Brexit is the most important challenge for everyone committed to social progress.
We all know that there are huge challenges facing our country in the face of such dreadful incompetence and danger to our economy. My preference for a way forward would not be for a General Election, which carries huge risks for us, but rather another Referendum and a positive campaign to Remain in the EU.
And everyone can do something to help stop this madness. Sorry if I’m teaching people to suck eggs but not everybody is a whizz on social media for example.
Choose any (or all!) from the actions below:
Join the march for a People’s Vote in London on 19 October
This will be HUGE – it is a great chance to send a very clear message to the government, right after the EU summit, that another referendum is a solution to the chaos. There will be a large left bloc organised by Labour for a Public Vote and Another Europe is Possible amongst others and coaches travelling from many parts of the country.
Talk with your friends and acquaintances
Many people who voted leave have doubts about Brexit - they need to know they are not on their own. Our membership of the EU covers many complex areas and no-one can be an expert on them all. But there are some good guides around to make you feel more confident of the facts such as https://bbc.in/2Zn9s38 and https://fullfact.org/europe/brexit-questions-answered/
Prepare yourself with counter arguments against the major myths and propaganda (lies). The £350 million on the side of the bus isn’t the only promise they have ditched. Also, you can find information about EU spending in your local area here.
Importantly, think about the one or two things that are most important to you about being in the EU. We all talk most passionately about what interests and concerns us most. Share your passion!
Write to your MP expressing your views
Even those hard Brexiteers who are unlikely to change their minds on Brexit, should never be able to say (with honesty!) that their constituents don’t write to them on the subject. Know your target – if your MP has been working to block a No Deal for example, thank them and find some common ground that may help persuade them to support another referendum. There may be issues that you know your MP cares about personally or will affect a large number of their constituents. Always say how leaving the EU will affect you and people like you.
Keep writing to your MP as events unfold
whether that is to thank them (again!) for voting the right way in parliament or when a news story breaks that is particularly relevant to their constituency.
Write to the letters page of your local paper
They do like and print stories that have a local significance and it is important that any pro-Brexit comments are rebutted. For local newspapers, send the letter a week in advance of publication – it's more likely to get published since newspapers start the letters pages early in the subbing cycle.
Join phone-ins on local and national radio stations
Again, it is important to ensure that airtime is not left to the Brexiteers.
Sign up to pro EU campaigns
The Love Socialism group of MPs are fighting Brexit within Parliament and Labour for a Public Vote
are working hard to influence policy. As well, there is the Labour Movement for Europe (which is a Labour Party affiliate) Remain Labour and Labour Against Brexit, also cross-party groups like Another Europe is Possible, Britain for Europe, Best for Britain and the campaign for a People’ Vote who are organising the London rally. It is certainly worth signing up to the People’s Vote daily e-newsletter
Use social media
Keep the conversation going on twitter for example. Use popular # hashtags where people are conversing on a topic. Use @ mentions if you want to direct something to someone’s timeline and which will show up in their notifications eg @BorisJohnson. There is a useful guide here. Retweeting is simple and quick and you can comment, add hashtags and @mentions to widen the conversation. If you use Facebook make sure you follow relevant groups to gain useful background material and information.
I hope that gives you something you feel able to do. Thanks for wanting to join the fight.
