Labour Movement for Europe
Labour Movement for Europe, or LME, is a socialist society affiliated to the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Its current Honorary President is former leader Neil Kinnock and its Vice President is Baroness Jan Royall.[1]
| Abbreviation | LME |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Improve and broaden the understanding of the European Union within the Labour Party and to support the closest possible relationship with the EU |
| Headquarters | London, England |
Region served | United Kingdom |
Chair | Anna Turley |
| Affiliations | Labour Party |
| Website | laboureurope |
The society campaigns on European issues within the Labour Party, supporting UK membership of the EU and reform of the EU. During the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum it made a left-wing case for remain.[2]
Originally set up in the early 1960s as the Labour Committee for Europe, it split in 1982 when some of its prominent members (notably Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams and Bill Rodgers) left Labour to found the SDP. Those remaining re-named the organisation Labour Movement for Europe and made a left wing case for Europe, remaining within the Labour Party.
Over recent years, its Chairs have included Bill Rammell, Chris Bryant, Mary Creagh, Richard Corbett, Clare Moody, and Anna Turley.
In the 2020 leadership and deputy leadership elections, LME decided to endorse Keir Starmer and Ian Murray for Leader and Deputy respectively. National chair Anna Turley commented that it was "because of their strong pro-EU values and the fact that we think they are in the best place to take Labour to victory at the next election."[3]
References
- "Labour Movement for Europe". Labour Movement for Europe.
- Silvera, Ian. "EU referendum: Labour Movement in Europe makes a left-wing case for 'remain'". International Business Times.
- "Labour Movement for Europe nominates Keir Starmer and Ian Murray". LabourList.