Local MSP Joan McAlpine will join forces with a former MP to speak up for Europe at an event in the Crichton this Saturday.
She will tell her audience “it’s not too late to pull the brakes on Brexit”
The South Scotland MSP is convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Europe Committee and will speak alongside Mark Lazarowicz, an advocate and the former MP for Edinburgh North. She will highlight concerns about the impact of Brexit on Dumfries and Galloway, in particular the damage to agriculture, education and the rights of EU residents across the region.
The event has been organised by a group called the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) which has been set up to make a positive case for remaining in the EU. The organisation hopes that the meeting will result in the establishment of a group for Dumfries and Galloway which can be a focus for campaigning against Brexit across the region.
Other speakers include Lawrence Bristow-Smith, a resident of Kirkcudbright and former diplomat with particular responsibilities for trade and the economy, and Dave Merritt, a therapist and trainer.
Commenting, Ms McAlpine says,
“We are almost up to the wire on Brexit and Mrs May is no closer to getting her damaging deal through the House of Commons. Even if by some miracle she does get it passed, we will have years more uncertainty as her red lines pull us out of the single market and customs union. It’s not too late to pull the brakes!
“I’m particularly concerned about the threat to funding for education as it could mean young people across our region missing out on valuable opportunities at school, college and university. I’m worried about the future of the ERASMUS+ programme which enables young people to travel overseas to study and funds language learning in several local schools. Spain has already said that it will no longer fund ERASMUS+ programmes in the UK after Brexit and it looks likely that other countries are set to follow.
“Anyone who is concerned about the impacts that Brexit might have on our economy or our communities should come along to this meeting to find out more or join the discussion to share your views.”
The cross party event comes in the same week that Ms McAlpine met a close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks on Brexit. David McAllister, MEP, whose father was Scottish, is vice president of the European People’s Party, the Christian Democrat grouping within the European Parliament. Mr McAllister was meeting politicians in the Scottish Parliament after delivering a lecture in Edinburgh.
Ms McAlpine said; “Mr McAllister regards Brexit as a tragedy, but he said there was no way the EU would consider opening up the Withdrawal Agreement. The EU might, however agree to delay Article 50. That is what Mrs May should do, unless of course she rescinds it completely.”
The event takes place in Easterbrook Hall on Saturday the 2nd of March from 11am to 1pm. Tickets are free but you can register your place on the Eventbrite website.
