The European Movement in Scotland has repeated it’s call for a second EU referendum.
David Clarke, Vice-Chair of leading pro-EU campaign group, the European Movement in Scotland, said: “The European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) welcomes the fact that Scotland has voted decisively in favour of pro-EU/Remain parties in the European Parliament elections. Continue reading Pro-EU group calls for second referendum
Dear Editor
When the banks collapsed through financial mismanagement and corruption in 2008 the people of the UK had to pay for this massive example of this failure of capitalism.
Wages were frozen, prices soared, thousands of jobs were lost, and both local and national services were decimated.
All this continued from 2008 to 2016 non-stop – and it is still going on today. People had had enough and were demanding that the banks should be under public control and stricter controls over the financial institutions should be introduced.
Danger signals from the banks and financial sector were very quickly raised: the demands of the people of the UK for control over these sectors must somehow be headed off.
It took a few years for the media to convince the people to blame others for the troubles, but they succeeded in splitting the nation practically down the middle, a classic example of the ‘divide and rule’ tactic.
The consequences of the phoney arguments in support of the EU referendum are yet to be felt.
Taking back control was advanced as an objective of the referendum, but in whose hands would control be? People had decided that in 2008 and will do so again.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
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. Continue reading Brexit: Is it worth it? – Remain campaign battle bus to visit Edinburgh
The independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is calling for a renewed drive to solve poverty, as new research reveals the extent people feel disconnected from the UK’s economic growth and how their concerns are ignored by the political establishment.
Following last month’s Brexit vote, which revealed deep divisions in British society, a poll of over 2,000 people conducted by Populus for JRF has revealed that those who voted for Brexit feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by politicians.
In one of the first polls after Brexit, it presents a clear instruction for the next government to ensure things do not return to ‘business as usual’ for people and places who feel left behind. The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has said her premiership will focus on uniting the country and carrying out a programme of social and economic reform.
The findings show:
This comes as separate polling for JRF shows poverty is a rising concern among the public as social mobility is perceived to be moving backwards. The poll, conducted a week before the Brexit vote and released yesterday, revealed:
JRF is calling for urgent action to tackle poverty and prevent further economic and social division. In September JRF will be launching a comprehensive strategy to solve poverty, outlining how national and local government, businesses and citizens can each play their part.
Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of JRF, said: “The reasons for people’s vote in the referendum are complex, but this clearly shows that millions of people up and down the country feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by those elected to serve them.
“We believe Britain will be stronger if we solve poverty, giving everyone regardless of their background the chance to live a decent and secure life. Yet instead we’re seeing a real sense that it’s harder to get on than it used to be and poverty is on the rise.
“The result of the EU referendum shows we cannot afford to return to business as usual for the poorest people and places across the UK. It is vital that politicians seize this opportunity to show that they are listening, and work not only across party lines but in collaboration with business, individuals and local communities to solve poverty once and for all.”
Devolved administrations to discuss Brexit impact
Finance ministers from the three devolved administrations in the UK are holding talks today to discuss the implications of the Brexit vote.
Scottish Government Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will travel to Cardiff to meet with his counterparts from Wales and Northern Ireland, Mark Drakeford and Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.
The ministers will discuss concerns around the impact of the vote on public finances and on future funding streams.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Mackay said: “I firmly believe that membership of the European Union is in the best interests of Scotland and I am deeply concerned about the impact the Brexit vote could have on Scotland.
“No-one can be clear on the likely impact of Brexit on UK Government finances, and we are already seeing the UK Government suggest changes to future spending plans. It is clear that there are significant issues and challenges ahead.
“In these uncertain times, it is important that the three devolved administrations work closely together and I am determined to continue to explore all options to secure Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe.”
Continue reading Money matters: finance ministers meet today
Dear Editor
The UK-wide confusion caused by the referendum resulted in an approximately 50-50 split. It is now obvious that many things told by the ‘Leave’ side were untrue and misleading.
It is always easy to blame others for misfortunes; the Leave side did this quite successfully in parts of the UK. It shows once again the power of publicity in shaping minds and attitudes.
It was not the EU that imposed tremendous cuts of all kinds on working people over the last six years, it was the Conservative Party government, in which most of the leaders of the ‘Leave’ campaign served and supported.
These same people have led 50% of the population to think the EU is to blame: and what is more, they have created a situation where further cuts on working people will be made.
At this most serious moment when the Labour movement must unite in resisting the imposition of further cuts and proposing an alternative programme of social progress, opponents of such a position have chosen to split the PArty by their actions of resignation. Why? This action can can only benefit the very people whey should be opposing: the Conservative government.
As the recent referendum has shown, Divide and Rule is a long-tried Tory policy and it is still working for them.
A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens
‘Scotland is an open and welcoming country and that prejudice, hate and racism will not be tolerated, now or at any time.’
‘We chose to be an open, inclusive and outward-looking society where other EU citizens are welcome to live, work and contribute’ –
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
The Scottish Government’s overriding priority is to protect Scotland’s relationship with, and place in, the EU, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood yesterday. Continue reading First Minister: Scotland has no place for hate and racism
‘ … we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we can make this work.’ – Business Secretary Sajid Javid
The Westminster government is hoping speeches by Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor George Osborne will calm the international money markets as they open this morning. The pound has plunged since UK voted to leave the European Union, wiping £ trillions off the value of stocks and shares. Continue reading UK government moves to steady markets
‘a second independence referendum is clearly an option’ – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Talks will take place with EU institutions and member states to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
The First Minister chaired a meeting of the Cabinet to discuss the Scottish Government’s next steps following the EU Referendum result.
In addition, regular contact will continue with the EU and, as was planned, Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, will be attending the AGRIFISH Council in Luxembourg on Monday and will meet EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan where he will raise the concerns of farming community in Scotland. He will meet with other EU Ministers to demonstrate that the EU remains a priority for Scotland
Following the meeting, the First Minister said: “We have had a very full discussion about the result of the EU referendum, its implications for Scotland and the steps we need to take in the days, weeks and months that lie ahead to protect Scotland’s interests.
“Cabinet expressed its pride in the vote in Scotland, the emphatic vote in Scotland, to remain in the European Union. The Cabinet also shared the deep disappointment at the UK-wide result that is clearly felt by a majority of people across this country, and we are determined to act decisively but in a way that builds unity across Scotland about the way forward.
“As I said yesterday a second independence referendum is clearly an option which requires to be on the table, and it is very much on the table. To ensure that option is a deliverable one in the required timetable steps will be taken now to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place and Cabinet this morning formally agreed that work.
“However most of our discussions this morning centred on what we can do in the here and now and in the negotiations that lie ahead, to protect Scotland’s relationship with the European Union and our place in the Single Market. Cabinet agreed that we will seek to enter into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and the other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.
“In doing so, we are determined to draw on as much support and advice from across Scotland as possible and I confirm today that over the next few days I will establish an advisory panel comprising a range of experts who can advise me and the Scottish Government on a number of important matters – legal, financial and diplomatic. It will also seek to encompass voices from across the political spectrum in Scotland and indeed different views on Scotland’s constitutional future. I will say more early next week about the membership of this expert advisory panel.
“Lastly, Cabinet discussed this morning the very important work that we need to do to reassure people across Scotland who are concerned about the implications of this result. An intensive programme of engagement is already underway with stakeholders, especially our business community, to emphasise that Scotland is and Scotland will continue to be an attractive and a stable place to do business.
“One particular group that we are anxious to reassure is the community of EU citizens living here in Scotland. I said yesterday that people from other EU countries that have chosen, done us the honour of choosing to make Scotland their home are welcome here and I repeat that again today. I want to make sure that that is a message we get across strongly in the weeks and months ahead. To that end, I will be inviting the consul generals of all EU member states to a summit here in Bute house over the next two weeks to discuss how we engage with their communities here and make clear how highly we value the contribution they make to Scotland’s economy, to our society and to our culture.
“The final point I want to make this morning is this one. The Scottish Government will be working hard to protect Scotland interests in the period ahead and in the wake of the referendum result. But as we do this we will not be taking our eye off the ball of the day to day business of government. As Westminster is engulfed in political turmoil and as a vacuum of leadership develops, I want to make clear that Scotland is led by a stable and effective government. We are focussed on making sure that Scotland’s interests are protected but we are also determined to continue our work to further improve our schools, our hospitals and our economy.
“As First Minister I am focused entirely on governing this country in the interests of all the people of Scotland, that is my overarching priority.”
As the implication of the EU referendum result sinks in and we try to work out what it means, children in Edinburgh showed us what it’s all about with a giant Hokey Cokey sung in one of the most popular languages of Europe! Continue reading In, Out; In, Out: even the kids are confused!
