Independence or Union? Former Labour and SNP MEPs to debate Scotland’s best route back into the EU

Two constitutional paths — one European future

In an online event, two former Members of the European Parliament (MEP) will debate whether Scottish independence or remaining in the UK is the best route to seeing Scotland regain its EU membership.

Entitled “Common Ground” the discussion, between former Labour MEP David Martin and Alyn Smith, who was an SNP MEP, will see the politicians analyse how best to achieve Scotland’s return to the EU. They will also talk about the importance of cross-party working and why each believes their own preferred constitutional route is best for the country.

In the 2016 referendum that resulted in the UK leaving the European Union, Scotland voted 62% Remain. Every local authority district in Scotland recorded a Remain majority. Polls since then have shown that Scotland continues to be strongly pro-EU membership.

The Common Ground online debate is on Tuesday 5^th December at 7pm.

Tickets for the event, which is free, can be booked at Eventbrite:

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/common-ground-scotlands-european-path-tickets-1088642702629

Common Ground is being hosted by the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), the leading all-party group campaigning for a return to European Union membership. David Martin is president of EMiS and Alyn Smith a vice-president.

David Clarke, chair of EMiS says: “Alyn and David are passionate Europeans who share similar views about building an unstoppable momentum that sees us eventually rejoin the EU.

“They will discuss how that momentum is built and the competing claims of independence or union as the most likely route back to Europe.”

The European Movement is Scotland says the debate is “must see” event for everyone interested in Scotland’s European future and how pro-EU politicians from across the party divide can work together to achieve ever-stronger ties of trade, education, culture and friendship with our EU friends.