Scotland’s largest pro-EU campaign organisation urges voters to back best-placed Remainers in General Election

The European Movement in Scotland, the country’s leading pro-EU campaigning organisation, has urged voters to back election candidates who support remaining in the EU and with the best chance of winning when they go to the polls in Thursday’s General Election.

It has established a tactical vote website – pro-eu-vote-scotland.info/ – recommending who to vote for in each Scottish constituency.

In an open letter to the electorate the organisation is urging voters to back Remain candidates, as polls consistently show a majority in the UK favouring staying in the EU and with 62 per cent of voters backing Remain in the 2016 referendum north of the border.

This means voting tactically for the Remain candidate with the best chance of winning (SNP, Green, LibDem, or a Labour Remainer).

The European Movement also seeks to address the concerns of Remainers who oppose Scottish independence, noting in its letter: “it may be a stretch for Remainers who oppose Scottish independence fearing their vote will be interpreted as being in favour of independence. But this view is misplaced; independence could only be decided by a separate referendum which could only happen after a second EU referendum.”

The organisation highlights evidence from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research pointing to the fact that Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is expected to cost the UK economy as much as £70bn over the next decade compared with remaining in the EU.

This will shave up to 4 per cent from the size of the economy by the end of the 2020s, equivalent to about £1,100 per person per year, compared with a situation where Britain remained in the EU.¹

David Clarke, Vice Chair of the European Movement in Scotland said: “In this election we urge voters to think tactically and vote for the strongest Remain candidate so the people can decide whether they want the Brexit on offer and the damaging economic impacts that will bring.

“The EU has brought countless benefits to Scotland – giving us the freedom of movement, supporting scientific research, strengthening our universities, providing funding for rural areas and safeguarding workers’ rights.

“Brexit will affect the current generation for years to come and it is vital for our democracy and our country that we back those candidates supporting remaining in the EU.

“We are asking voters to set aside their views on independence and vote to stop Brexit. We represent local, cross-party, pro-EU groups across Scotland that bridge the ‘Yes-No’ divide on independence – because we all put securing our place in Europe first.”