All blogs
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The ECHR matters - we need to defend it
April 16, 2024
Last week, in a landmark ruling, a group of Swiss pensioners won a case through the European Court of Human Rights that made protection from climate change a human right.
The ruling has been described as ushering in 'a new era' of environmental action, because it could pave the way for citizens in 50 European countries to hold governments to account if they fail to tackle the effects of climate change.
"We need to talk about Brexit" - the new film from the Financial Times
April 03, 2024
BYC closed after 75 years
March 25, 2024
EM brings Gavin Esler and Gina Miller together to look at why British politics is in crisis
March 19, 2024
"Why say no to association?" - Dr Anne Corbett on rejoining Erasmus+
March 15, 2024
EM Activists Tell UK Government to Face The Music
March 06, 2024
Erasmus+ petition of 40,000 signatures delivered to Downing Street
February 27, 2024
EM UK hosts campaign webinar for Face The Music
February 23, 2024
Last night, European Movement UK held a campaign webinar: Face The Music – We need a new deal for musicians.
We looked at the post-Brexit issues facing our live music sector, what the campaign is calling for and how we can achieve the change that the live music sector is crying out for.
We heard first from Matt Cargill (Producer and musician at Sly and the Family Drone) and Jon Collins (Chief Executive of LIVE, the voice of the UK’s contemporary live music sector).
After Matt Cargill detailed the post-Brexit problems he has faced as a touring musician, Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, said:
“The general rule of thumb in the industry is 1 person on stage, and 7 people off it. We’ve had world-class talent in the UK for decades. We have led the world, and this is now in the process of being offshored to Europe.
“Bigger companies are relocating to the EU. Small companies are finding it harder to cope. This is hitting the smaller acts a lot more.
“Complexity and cost are now the two biggest obstacles to people trying to perform in Europe. We want touring reform built in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.”
Maura McKeon (our Local Campaigns Manager) and Yvonne Wancke (Chair of European Movement UK’s Branches Forum) then walked through the details of the Face The Music Action Weekend, which is coming up on 1-3rd March.
The five ways you can get involved with the Face The Music campaign are:
- to order materials and get out and about for the Action Weekend;
- talk to local venues and build relationships with them – we want to get our posters up and in venues across the UK;
- to organise an event with performers in your area – EM UK is able to provide up to £200 per group to support this (you have to submit a funding form by this for April 30th 2024, but your event can be held after this);
- Sign and share the Face The Music petition, and;
- Post about the campaign and what you’re doing for it on social media.
This was before Mike Edwards (an EM member and activist at EM Sussex) detailed how EM Sussex organised their own music event at the end of 2023.
EMiS urge for a pathway back into Europe
February 22, 2024
Brexit is causing 'terminal damage' to UK Music Industry - Head of Royal Academy of Music
February 20, 2024
The head of the Royal Academy of Music has said terminal damage is being done to the UK's music industry by Brexit, in an interview for the Face The Music campaign by European Movement UK.
Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood is principal of one of the world's most prestigious music schools, which boasts Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Elton John and Annie Lennox among its former students.
"You've got to have a political will at the heart of understanding the importance to the UK to be open for business, for the very best talent from all over the world. And Brexit has stopped that flow of talent coming in.
"I think there will be terminal damage in an area where we have a world-renowned reputation as educators and as people who make a difference worldwide in the creative industries. It's a colossal waste, in terms of reputation, in terms of capability, in terms of possibility of things that Britain has always done incredibly well.'
"Brexit goes entirely against the mentality of the way musicians think. UK students don't have the access to European work, both when they’re students, and of course when they graduate, and that is a huge cultural and professional problem. There are no benefits. There is nothing there. There are no winners."
The Face The Music campaign is urging the government to find address the ongoing damage to UK musicians and artists touring the EU. You can watch the personal stories from people from across the industry, and how they've been affected, here.
Watch full interview here.