Scotland will vote to rejoin EU: but how?

Almost half of UK voters want a second EU referendum within ten years; Scots would now vote in it 75% or so for Rejoin. But how do we make that a reality? Whether as an independent state or part of the UK? Our latest webinar, featuring the SNP’s Stephen Gethins and the pro-Union Eddie Barnes in conversation, reached a surprising consensus: it will be a long and hard process (“for the next political generation” said Eddie).

Stephen, on the EMiS executive, wants progress made on critical pre-accession issues such as regulatory divergence and borders and, not least, institution building – creating a central bank and agreeing on a currency plus building a full diplomatic service. Eddie, campaigns director at Our Scottish Future, favours a gradualist approach based on improving EU-UK relations – and an eventual association agreement. Stephen too wants incrementalist steps immediately (Horizon/Erasmus) as “in the interests of the UK.”

Both cannot imagine the UK/Scotland as alone outside an EU of, say, 35-38 members. “The logic is for Britain to be in the EU: a significant nation within the European family of nations. Gravity will come into play” (Eddie). “How can Scotland thrive outside the EU?! Every new country that joined the EU got wealthier while Scotland post-Brexit has got poorer” (Stephen). Watch it all here.

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News & Analysis

  • First EU Citizens Forum launched in Glasgow
    Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren marked a historic day for the city on 20th November when she presided over the establishment of the first EU Citizen’s Forum in Scotland, writes Martin Roche.   The Lord Provost said Glasgow and Europe share the values of friendship, tolerance, co-operation, and peace. The… Read More »
  • Independent Scotland in the EU
    The Scottish Government’s seventh paper in its series on independence policy issues looks at the case for (re)joining the European Union. To help EMiS members and others understand these issues – whether you’re pro-indy or not – here are some extracts from the 80-page paper: Joining the EU as an… Read More »
  • An independent scotland in the EU: myths and reality
    “As the UK heads towards a general election next year, the fact that the SNP supports independence in the EU, and the Tories and Labour support continuing with either the current EU-UK deal or a marginally improved version of it, opens up a potentially large area of debate.”… Read More »
  • We want our star back
    As part of the national ‘Our Star’ tour, EMiS is hosting events around the country to celebrate European unity and to raise awareness of the negative impact of Brexit on our society, our economy and on our youngest citizens. “The ‘Our Star’ project was founded by two pro-EU campaigners to… Read More »
  • gearing up for EU enlargement to ukraine
    “In the end, the overarching lesson from the 1990s is that boldness and scale can work. Politics, process, reform, and real strategic direction is what the EU will need if it’s to bring off its biggest enlargement challenge yet.,’ writes Kirsty Hughes.… Read More »

Upcoming Events

  • The Star in Edinburgh

    30 November 2023, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

    The Star will end its trek in Edinburgh, firstly making a stop at the Scottish ...

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Podcasts and Videos

European Conversations

The short and winding road to a Scottish currency

European Conversations
European Conversations
The short and winding road to a Scottish currency
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In this European Conversations podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Dr Iain Hardie about currency and independence and asks him about whether an independent Scotland should or could keep the pound… Read More »

More episodes here.

Webinars and Livestreams

Posted on 30/10/2023
Glasgow Loves EU are talking to Peter Foster Financial Times public policy editor and author of  “What went wrong with Brexit and What can we do …

Posted on 17/08/2023
Fife4Europe were joined by North East Fife MP, Wendy Chamberlain at their monthly meeting on 17th August 2023. Wendy shared her thoughts on …

More livestreams and webinars here.

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Tweets

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