Union boss starts anti-EU party

Mr Crow said the EU was a 'completely corrupt' organisation

Transport workers' union boss Bob Crow has set up an anti-EU party to contest seats in June's European elections.

No 2 EU argues that the EU is an anti-democratic "gravy train" which is eroding workers' rights.

Mr Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union, said the three main political parties backed a "European super state".

No 2 EU is hoping to field candidates across the UK for the European Parliament elections on 4 June.

But Mr Crow told BBC Two's Daily Politics that, if it wins any seats, there would be a "convention" to decide whether these would be taken up.

He said: "If we win we are not going to pick any money up. We think it's completely a corrupt gravy train."

'No-one knows'

No 2 EU will cease to exist after the European elections.

Mr Crow said the EU was allowing the privatisation of the Post Office and social services.

He told Daily Politics: "We have had anti-trade union legislation come from Europe in the form of European court judgements, which is now contesting workers' rights to take industrial action in Europe to defend themselves.

"And also we are seeing it through directives from the European Union."

Mr Crow criticised Parliament's decision not to offer UK voters a referendum on the EU Treaty, which was rejected by the Irish electorate last year.

Asked if No 2 EU could win any seats in June, he said: "Who knows what's going to happen on 4 June? The problem with European elections is no-one knows who Euro MPs are anyway.

"I say to people name five Euro MPs now and I'll give you 50 quid and they don't know who they are."

Mr Crow added: "The difference with the European Parliament is they are not like the British Parliament, where you can change legislation. All they do is consult.

"It's the directives that get granted and the ministers that make these decisions."
He said: "What we are giving people is an alternative. We are a platform."

Last week Libertas, an EU-wide party which promises to "bring more democracy" to the organisation, announced it would fight all UK seats in June.

On Monday, another party called Jury Team said it would provide backing for independent candidates wishing to to enter the elections.