The following message was read at rallies in Scotland and, in different languages, at rallies across Europe, in Berlin, Rome, Paris, Dublin, Munich and Brussels. In Edinburgh it was read by Elise Tallaron in the first speech after the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
European friends,
Today is a sad day for Scotland and for all Europeans who believe in democracy.
This morning the UK Supreme Court certified that the UK’s unwritten constitution does not allow the Scottish Parliament to fulfil the democratic mandate from the Scottish people for a new independence referendum.
Whilst the UK government withholds its permission, Scotland is trapped in constitutional limbo, stuck in a supposed “voluntary union” against its democratic will.
We all know that the United Kingdom is all but united. For decades Scotland and England have been on divergent political paths, with radically different ideas for their future.
It was England that voted for Margaret Thatcher… David Cameron… and Boris Johnson. Scotland not only rejected each and every one of them but in fact didn’t vote for any of the last ten Tory Prime Ministers.
It was England that voted narrowly to leave the European Union. Scotland never wanted to leave, and voted overwhelmingly to remain.
It is England that would like to be “Global Britain”. All Scotland wants is to be in charge of its own destiny and not be collateral damage for England’s terrible choices.
How many more Tory Prime Ministers should be inflicted on Scotland against its democratic will? How many more years should Scottish businesses suffer because of Brexit? How many more generations of young Scots should be deprived of Erasmus and opportunities to freely travel and work in Europe?
How much longer should Scots be denied their democratic right to choose their own future?
Scots deserve the same rights and opportunities that we Europeans enjoy. And that’s why we’re here today, to express our solidarity and to tell Scots: we stand with you.
Tonight, (my friends from) Europe for Scotland are gathered in solidarity in 6 European cities.
We are in Edinburgh, Berlin, Rome, Dublin, Paris, Munich and Brussels. Tomorrow, we’ll also be in Skive, Denmark.
Our message is simple. Scots are not alone.
Europeans support Scotland’s democratic right to choose its own future.
And Europeans would love to welcome our Scottish friends back into our European family and build a better Europe together.
The Scottish people’s mandate for a new independence referendum must be respected by the UK government.
Brexit must not be Scotland’s destiny.
Europeans will always keep a light on for Scotland.
The fight is not over. It has only just begun. Solidarity!
Scotland can’t be denied a referendum. The Union was supposed to be an union between equals, not a mere side kick (like robin /Batman) unfortunately it seems that once more The Masters have spoken. What a mistake!
This is Scotland’s battle to fight, but it brings a tear to my eye when I witness the freely given support of our friends in Europe!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from all the people in Scotland who feel your love!
Back in 2014 we did feel like we were on our own. But Brexit has opened eyes to how the British State operates, not least of our fellow Europeans who now have first hand experience of how Britannia waves the rules!
Europe made things better for Scots, providing a check on some of the worst of British chicanery. Then Brexit happened to us! We had our citizenship taken away and barriers put up where before there had been freedoms.
Keep that light on for Scotland and keep it burning bright! We haven’t given up on you, please don’t give up on us. Democracy in Scotland will prevail!