Racism and intolerance are on the rise, as black people, immigrants and refugees are wrongly blamed for economic and social problems. The two conferences held in 1997, in Amsterdam and Luxembourg, failed to address any of these problems. We, the undersigned, support a different kind of Europe. The convergence criteria for monetary union demand that all EU governments must cut public spending. This means closures and redundancies in our schools, hospitals and public services.
Labour flexibility is the buzz-word of the moment and supposedly the cure for all economic ills.
This leads to more stress and insecurity for those in work and does nothing to help the unemployed. Poorer regions and nations, like Wales, are being left behind. Existing levels of regional funds have failed to address the problem and yet, after 1999, EU regional funds will be cut dramatically. The countries of the EU, and beyond, share common rivers, seas and air. Pollution knows no frontiers.