A bus emblazoned with ‘Brexit to cost £2,000 million a week” is to visit Scotland on Saturday (24 February) as part of a 33 stop national tour.
Vanessa Glynn, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland said: “Together with the Young European Movement, we are delighted to host the bus in Scotland. Our country stands to lose significantly more than other parts of the UK and Brexit will cause misery to so many Scots – both those whose families have been here for generations and those who have recently decide to make Scotland their home and have already contributed so much to our economy and culture.”
The numbers are based on the Government’s own leaked report that Brexit with a Free Trade Agreement will cost us 5% of GDP after 15 years. For Scotland it estimates almost twice as big a hit at 9%.
Charles Seaford, one of the organisers, said “These shocking leaked numbers show the UK would be £2,000 million a week poorer than we otherwise would. To put this in context, that is 80% of the NHS budget across the UK. These are not our numbers – they are the Government’s numbers.”
Vote Leave’s bus falsely claimed that we send the EU £350 million a week when the true cost is more like £200 million a week. Now the Government’s own analysis shows the hit to our economy from leaving the EU will be ten times bigger than the cost of staying in. Leaving without a trade deal, as some people are willing to do, would cost £3,200 million a week, or sixteen times the price of EU membership.
Some people may be willing to pay this price for the what they see as the benefits of Brexit. But more and more are asking “is it worth it?” A balanced and fully-sourced summary of the costs and benefits of the likely Brexit scenarios is set out at www.isitworthit.org.uk.
During its eight day tour, the bus will make 33 stops in towns and cities across the country where speaker events will feature local business leaders, trade unionists, and politicians.
Jane McKinlay, a local organiser in Glasgow, said: ” More and more people here are seeing the costs mount up and wonder whether it’s worth it – we have the right to think again”.
Around 670 individuals across Britain contributed an average of £24 each to make the tour possible and 20 local grassroots groups have organised the events, including the European Movement in Scotland and the Young European Movement. No money has come from overseas.
The ‘Brexit Is it worth it?’ Bus will visit Scotland on Saturday 24th February, stopping at St Giles on the Royal Mile from 10.30am – 11.30am. then Glasgow University’s Memorial Gate from 1.30pm.- 2.30pm.
Speakers in Edinburgh will include Joanna Cherry MP, Councillor Cammy Day, Depute Leader of City of Edinburgh Council and Juuso Jarviniemi, President of the Young European Movement.
David Martin MEP, Patrick Harvie MSP and Juuso Jarviniemi will speak at the Glasgow event..
24
0
20
