As Europe and the world look in disbelief at the dangerous decisions of the Trump administration in the US, we at Europe for Scotland are heading to Brussels to remind MEPs that Scotland’s desire to rejoin the EU matters.
On April 9th, one month before the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration that started the European project, together with our friends from Yes for EU and along with former MEPs Heather Anderson and Alyn Smith, we will meet with European Parliament members in Brussels.
Our mission? To remind MEPs that they should keep a light on for Scotland, as Alyn Smith told them 5 years ago. To tell MEPs that the Scottish people’s desire to rejoin the EU as an independent country remains strong. To ask MEPs to publicly support Scotland’s future within the EU in the months and years ahead.
Crucially, we also want to affirm that listening to Scotland’s voice matters, both to help the UK find its way out of Trump’s influence and Brexit and for Europe to uphold the ideals of democracy that are so precious to preserve at this crucial juncture for the world.
To date, MEPs from Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden have agreed to meet with the delegation. Colleagues from other countries are very likely to join. We hope to strengthen Euro-Scottish bonds and exchange messages of friendship and solidarity that can help reassure Scots that EU membership can lead to a secure and prosperous future for an independent Scotland.
Key issues will be discussed, including:
- How can we make sure that Scotland is part of the conversation on EU enlargement?
- Will Scotland’s previous 47 years in the EU mean a swift return?
- How can Europe counter Trump’s aggressive policies and defend trade across the continent and in Scotland?
- Can the European Parliament express its view on Scotland’s European future?
- Why would Scotland rejoining benefit both Scotland and the EU?
This year’s delegation findings will be shared at a special Europe Day event titled Scotland in the EU: Good for Scotland, Good for Europe, at Augustine United Reform Church at 6:30pm. Free tickets can be booked here, and the event will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
Significantly, from our perspective, we think of this trip not as a one off event, but the beginning of a yearly appointment where we will travel to Brussels to build the case for an independent Scotland in the EU. We hope you will support us on this journey and we ask you, if you’re in a position to do so, to consider supporting our plans with a small donation, so that our campaign for Scotland, for democracy and for the Europe of tomorrow can continue for years to come.
In European solidarity
EfS team