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  • The Russia Report

    July 24, 2020

    After more than a year and a half of delay, the Russia Report was finally released to the public this morning. The report’s conclusion that the government “did not take action to protect the UK’s process in 2016” highlights the need for greater oversight over our democratic processes, and we wholeheartedly welcome the report’s recommendation for a post-referendum assessment of Russian attempts at interference, similar to what happened in the United States.

    The people who were most in favour of Brexit love to speak about British sovereignty - yet fall remarkably silent when presented with concrete evidence that a foreign power has interfered in our democracy on multiple occasions. It is shameful that the government has been so reluctant to act in the face of such a blatant threat from a hostile actor. This is not a partisan issue - the extent of Russian influence poses a significant challenge for us all, and it must be tackled in order to protect our democracy.

    But the Russia Report isn’t the only thing that we should be talking about today. Last night, parliament voted on amendments to the Trade Bill. They began by voting down New Clause 17, an amendment designed to prevent the NHS being subject to any form of foreign control by 340 votes to 251. 

    New Clause 17 also sought to: 

    •  Protect NHS staff from having their wages slashed by any future trade deal
    • Regulate medicine prices
    • Protect patient data from being sold off 

    The Conservatives clapped for the NHS - and then put it on the negotiating table. 

    Pretty bad, right? But wait - there’s more!

    MPs also voted against New Clause 11, which sought to protect food standards and animal welfare. 

    We’re not done yet! 

    Perhaps most alarmingly, MPs then voted against ensuring that parliament would have a vote on any post-Brexit trade deal. They literally voted against giving themselves a say.

    Angry? So are we. But here’s the good news - the European Movement has more than 120 groups across the country that are leading the fightback. Join us: 

    I'LL JOIN THE MOVEMENT

    Together, we can hold the government to account. 

    Kind Regards, 

    Hugo Mann, CEO 

  • So there won't be an extension...what next?

    July 09, 2020

    Last evening, the European Movement hosted our third twitter chat! Now that the government has chosen not to extend the Brexit transition period, we spoke about what's next for Brexit in the wake of the biggest public health crisis in over a century, and ways that we can come together to stop a No Deal Brexit. 

    We started off with a simple poll: 

    As you can see, the results were pretty resounding! Next, Alan asked how the potential of President Biden in November would affect the state of UK-US trade negotiations: 

    Over the past few weeks, leading experts in key industries have warned about the consequences of a No Deal Brexit. 

    Matti had some fantastic ideas about how to hold the powerful to account in your own community: 

    Despite the intense focus on negotiations, there has been little research about what the British people actually want from a deal with the EU. We decided to ask: 

    The last data released by the government about the impact of a No Deal Brexit was in October 2019 - long before Coronavirus altered our communities forever. That's why we're calling on the government to come clean about the impact of a No Deal Brexit in light of Coronavirus: 

    Julie made a powerful point about the impact of a No Deal Brexit on our NHS: 

    We decided to end the chat by inviting our supporters to share their favourite experiences given to them by freedom of movement: 

     

    Thanks for joining us! Keep an eye out on our twitter profile (@euromove) for all the latest information on our campaigns, and tweet us using the hashtag #BrexitWatch to ask us questions!

  • Michael Heseltine Speaks at No to No Deal Rally

    June 15, 2020

    European Movement President Lord Michael Heseltine joined a cross-party group of Politicians and Activists to speak at our 'No to No Deal' Virtual Rally. 

    “Everybody knows that the battle for Brexit was deeply felt and of historic proportions. And those of us who fought to remain within the EU have to accept that the British people took a decision democratically in favour of severing that relationship. I believe they were wrong, I believe that the matter will come up for further review and that one day we will rejoin the neighbours in Europe. But that decision is no longer on the political table. We’ve moved on. We have effectively taken the decision to leave and implemented it. But of course that is oversimplifying the situation. We haven’t actually left in practical terms. That’s why we have a transitional period - to work out the details, to try and find solutions, to reduce to the minimum the damaging effects. Now you’ll have to throw into this the Coronavirus tragedy. No one could have seen it coming, and it’s not for me to do anything other than recognise the government has done what it believes to be best to try and cope. And things are getting better, and that is excellent news. But the coincidence of these two events is potentially disastrous for our economy. Every statistic published shows how much damage is being done. And to inject the uncertainty of a No-Deal at the end of this calendar year into the chaos of the Coronavirus epidemic is in my view grossly irresponsible. Now of course I understand that those who believe in Brexit will say “Oh yes, you’re just another remainer trying to have another go”. I don’t believe that. We are simply facing the reality which no one could have foreseen, and I think that a government should be big enough to recognise that it has secured its objective, but to do everything practical to make that objective work in the national interest. And if that means changing the date on which the transitional period ends, so be it. It would be quite wrong to make capital out of such a review of the timetable. I believe the government has a responsibility, now, to put at the top of its agenda the best possible deal, not the worst possible outcome, which is a No Deal.”

    Weren't able to make the rally? Catch up here: 

    WATCH THE RALLY

    Want to do more? Help us ensure that European Movement activists in communities across the UK have the resources that they need to take their activism online by chipping in to our campaign: 

    I'LL CHIP IN

     

  • Stephen Dorrell: Decision Not To Seek Extension 'Reckless'

    June 12, 2020

    Responding to Michael Gove’s confirmation today that the UK will not be asking for an extension to the Brexit transition period, European Movement Chair and Former Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell said: 

    "In choosing not to extend the transition period, the government is choosing to put ideology before country. Just this morning, it was announced that Britain’s GDP shrank by 20.4% in April - the largest monthly drop on record. At a time when we are facing the biggest public health crisis in over a century and Coronavirus is already wreaking havoc on our economy, now is not the time for the government to recklessly flirt with a No-Deal Brexit that will further endanger people’s livelihoods."

     

    To Chip in to help stop a No Deal Brexit, click here: 

    I'LL CHIP IN

     

     

  • We Stopped a No Deal Brexit once, we can do it again!

    June 11, 2020

    We were told before the referendum that securing a free trade deal between the UK and the EU would be “one of the easiest in human history”. Nearly four years on, history has shown this was not the case. It took three and a half years just to agree the withdrawal framework agreement. Now, in the midst of a pandemic, we have just eight months left to get a trade agreement drawn up and agreed – with two rounds of talks having already been cancelled in March 2020.

    Read more

  • What is a No Deal Brexit - also known as an “Australian-style” deal

    June 11, 2020

    A no deal Brexit will happen if the UK fails to agree a trade deal with the EU prior to the end of the exit transition period. This is currently scheduled for 31st December 2020. The transition period can only be extended if the UK requests more time for negotiations before 30th June 2020. If we have no trade deal in place with the EU by the end of transition, on 1st January 2021 we will switch to operating on World Trade Organisation terms with the EU. This means the introduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, e.g. regulations for goods and services.

    Read more

  • Open Letter to Boris Johnson from Leading Scientists

    June 08, 2020

    Leading scientists have written an open letter to Boris Johnson outlining the detrimental impact that a short Brexit transition would have on scientific research. They call for the Government to “take whatever time is needed to negotiate a productive future relationship with the EU, including UK research and the ERA.”

    Read the full letter below.

     

    OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER FROM LEADING RESEARCH SCIENTISTS IN THE UK

    Dear Prime Minister,

    Impact on Science Research of Brexit Transition Termination

    The response to Covid-19 has shown how international collaboration has been essential for rapid progress in understanding the disease. No single nation has the expertise or innovative pipeline and power to characterize the virus, develop a vaccine for it and distribute that vaccine globally.

    The huge scientific problems facing globally inter-connected economies, ranging from climate change to artificial intelligence, require shared expertise and research power. There is a wonderful vehicle for galvanizing and funding such collaborative research and innovation, the European Research Area.

    The UK played a major role in the creation of the ERA and defining its ways of working and has led many of its most significant research efforts. But our involvement is now in jeopardy with the prospect of a No-Deal Brexit.

    We believe that the Government should take whatever time is needed to negotiate a productive future relationship with the EU, including UK research and the ERA. This can only benefit both parties and is manifestly in the long-term interest of the UK and all its citizens. Covid-19 has inflicted a severe setback to our economy and to future prospects of our youth.

    Recovery from such a setback will require a strong research and innovation base and a NoDeal Brexit would severely damage it. It would erode the attractiveness of our universities to talent from around the globe and the attractiveness of the UK as a location for leading science and technology businesses, at precisely a time when those goals are under threat due to the pandemic.

    We believe a No-Deal Brexit will cause unnecessary and possibly long-term damage because of an arbitrary timeline set before the pandemic.

    Yours faithfully,

    • Venki Ramakrishan, Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2000, President of the Royal Society
    • Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2001
    • Martin Rees FRS, Baron Rees of Ludlow
    • Niall FitzGerald KBE, Chairman – Leverhulme Trust
    • Professor Daniel Anthony, University of Oxford
    • Professor Dorothy Bishop, University of Oxford
    • Professor Edward Bullmore, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Roger Crisp, University of Oxford
    • Professor Annette Dolphin, University College London,
    • Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Barry Everitt FRS, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith FRS, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Christine Holt FRS, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Charles Hulme FBA, University of Oxford
    • Professor Roger Lemon, University College London
    • Professor Stafford Lightman, University of Bristol
    • Dr Alice Prochaska, Former Principal and Honorary Fellow Somerville College, Oxford
    • Professor Wolfram Schultz, University of Cambridge
    • Professor Maggie Snowling CBE, University of Oxford
    • Professor David Spiegelhalter OBE FRS, University of Cambridge
    • Professor William Whyte, St John’s College, Oxford

     

    Want to get involved in our campaign to extend the transition?

    Chip into our campaign:

    Donate 

    Sign the petition:

    Sign the Petition

     

  • Four Ways to Campaign from Home

    June 02, 2020

    We know that things are challenging for many right now. Some of us are working on the frontline in hospitals and shops. Some of us are trying to balance working from home with homeschooling our children.

    Many of us are missing family and friends.

    In these difficult times, it's easy to feel isolated.

    Here at the European Movement, we’ve been so inspired by the ways that communities have been coming together through this crisis. We may be stuck at home, but our activism continues!

    This National Volunteer Week, here are three things that you can do (from your sofa!) to get involved in our newest campaign calling on the government to extend the transition period in order to focus on COVID-19:

    1) Retweet this video message from Michael Heseltine 

    Our President Michael Heseltine has recorded a powerful video message about the need to extend the transition period in the national interest. 

    Share the video to amplify his message and help us grow our community!

    I'LL RETWEET THE MESSAGE

    2) Sign (and share!) the Petition

    Our petition telling Boris Johnson to pause the transition period in order to focus on protecting our NHS has generated over 58,000 signatures!

    Help us keep the momentum going. If you haven’t already signed, add your name today:

    SIGN THE PETITION

    Already signed? Share the petition on social media to help us reach 100,000 signatures:

    SHARE ON FACEBOOK
    SHARE ON TWITTER
    INVITE SOME FRIENDS BY EMAIL

    3) Write to your MP

    Writing to your MP is one of the best ways to ensure that your voice is heard. Letters from constituents help MPs understand how people in their constituency feel about an issue, and help inform policy decisions.

    We've created a simple tool to help you write to your MP - it only takes two minutes!

    I'LL WRITE TO MY MP

    4) Chip in to the Crowdfunder

    Thank you to everyone who has chipped in to our crowdfunder so far. With your help, we’ve managed to raise over £58,000!

    Last year, European Movement activists were instrumental in stopping a No Deal Brexit. This time, the stakes are even higher. But we’ve won this fight once - we can do it again. 

    Can you chip in to help our activists demand that the government extend the Brexit transition period in order to stop a catastrophic No Deal Brexit?

    I'LL CHIP IN

    On behalf of the entire European Movement team, thank you.

  • Heseltine: We Must Extend The Transition Period

    May 18, 2020

    In yesterday’s Independent, European Movement President Lord Michael Heseltine wrote a powerful piece supporting our campaign to extend the transition period in the national interest. He said: 

    When everyone is hoping for certainty about a time when the disease will be under control, it is unforgivable for the government to add another uncertainty which it could control. At a time when so many are struggling, the government must not add a cliff-edge no-deal crisis to this hardship, and compound the economic turmoil now facing the country.

    You can read the full article here:

    READ THE ARTICLE

    Last week, the third round of trade negotiations ended with UK Chief Negotiator David Frost admitting that there had been "very little progress towards agreement on the most significant outstanding issues between us". 

    There are now only 45 days remaining for the EU and UK to agree to an extension. Otherwise, we risk crashing out without a deal - which would be catastrophic for our economy and our NHS. 

    If you agree with Lord Heseltine that the government should put country before ideology and extend the transition period, please consider making a donation today:

    I'LL CHIP IN

    Thank you for your support!

  • Twitter Chat: #Pause

    May 12, 2020

    During these challenging times, it is more important than ever to stay connected. That's why this week, we hosted our second Twitter Chat! This time, we talked about our newest campaign to extend the transition period in order to avoid a catastrophic No Deal Brexit.

    We started off with a simple poll - and as you can see, the results were pretty clear!

    Next, we asked how a No Deal Brexit would impact your industry. We got some very interesting replies, with everyone from doctors to bakers highlighting the difficulties that would arise if we crash out without a trade agreement in place. 

    Annette asked about the best way to lobby the government to agree to an extension as the end of June draws nearer. 

    Friederike asked a great question about reaching people outside of our bubble and welcoming new people into our movement: 

    We then asked our Chair, Former Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell what the main impact of a No Deal Brexit would be on the NHS:

    We ended the chat with a fun twitter poll about just how bad a No Deal Brexit would be. You heard it here first, folks: a No Deal Brexit would be worse than Marmite!