Greece doesn’t want to leave Europe, and neither should Britain | Alan Johnson

Some on the left claim the eurozone crisis suggests the EU won't protect workers. History shows the folly of this stance

With events in Europe of historical resonance unfolding before our eyes, it is more vital than ever to understand developments. But many on the left seem to be drawing precisely the wrong conclusions.

There is an argument gaining momentum on the left - given voice by Owen Jones in these pages last week - that the current EU crisis proves that the European project does not work for ordinary people. Many on the left, according to this line of argument, will have "dipped their toes" in the sea of Euroscepticism and found conditions more amenable than they expected. They invite the rest of us to join them: "Come on in," is their pitch, "the water's fine."