THE No2EU coalition of parties and transport union RMT launched its European election campaign yesterday with the slogan “Yes to workers’ rights!”

No2EU is to stand 46 candidates including leading trade unionists, peace activists and community campaigners in seven regions across England, Wales and Scotland for the May 22 election.

Acting RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was time for a real debate about the corporate nature of the European Union and how it undermined national democracy.

Mr Cash said: “The rail industry in Britain was privatised by EU directive 91/440 over 20 years ago and now the EU is rolling out this disastrous model across Europe with little regard to the wishes of member states.”

Former Labour MP Dave Nellist and Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths head the No2EU lists in the West Midlands and Wales respectively, while John Foster is top of the ballot paper in Scotland.

Late RMT leader Bob Crow’s daughter Natasha Hoarau is a candidate in the London region, after announcing her plans to stand at the May Day rally in Trafalgar Square. 

Ms Hoarau said: “I am standing not only in his memory but because I believe the kind of socialism Robert worked so hard for cannot be built until we withdraw from the EU empire.” 

The campaign stands upon a platform of withdrawal from the EU on the basis of socialist policies, including the repeal of anti-trade union EU court rulings which undermine collective agreements, opposition to EU militarisation and an EU army and to keep Britain out of the Eurozone.

No2EU also opposes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US which “threatens our NHS.”

The alliance calls for restoration of democratic powers to EU member states.

For more information visit www.no2eu.com.

nUkip leader Nigel Farage faced angry protesters in Scotland yesterday as the leader went to Edinburgh to insist the party was poised to win north of the border on May 22.

Activists from the Radical Independence group and Unite Against Facism Scotland urged all those “sickened by Ukip’s adverts to rally in the Scottish capital. 

His visit came almost exactly a year since he had to be rescued by police from a group of rowdy Edinburgh protesters.