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European Movement UK has today launched a massive #No2NoDeal online lobbying campaign and day of action aimed at highlighting the risks of, and preventing, a No Deal Brexit at the end of the year.

Taking place on Thursday 08 October 2020, the day will see thousands of activists, in constituencies across the UK, hold virtual meetings with their MPs to raise their concerns about the effects that a No Deal Brexit could have on communities, local businesses, and the NHS.

Says Hugo Mann, Campaigns Director of European Movement UK:

“With 100 days until the end of the transition period, time is running out to avoid a catastrophic No Deal Brexit. At this moment of national crisis, we should be thinking about protecting our NHS, our communities, and jobs. Instead, Boris Johnson is threatening to put party politics ahead of the national interest in the midst of a global pandemic.

That is why we are calling on people from every town and city to join us on 08 October to say #No2NoDeal. This is a historic moment for the European Movement, and that is why we are throwing everything at it. Let’s make this the moment that we stood together and stopped No Deal – once and for all.”

The day of action will culminate in a massive online rally at 7pm where cross-party MPs, celebrities, and grassroots activists will take to their webcams and call on the UK government to take No Deal off the table – for good.

The rally follows a similar event in June which saw over 10,000 people tune in to hear speakers from 8 political parties, and the Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments, speak about how preventing a No Deal Brexit will protect both our NHS and the UK’s reputation around the world.

More information about the lobbying campaign, the virtual rally, and the day of action can be found at www.actionday.uk.

In today's Daily Telegraph President of European Movement UK and former Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Michael Heseltine, wrote a powerful piece on the need to end the all uncertainty for British business to thrive post-Brexit.

I know something of the rhetoric of politics but I know too what persuades business people to invest. As the nation’s wealth creators hear proclamations about “Our Glorious Future” they know that in six weeks’ time – October 31 – we either have a deal clarifying our trading arrangements with Europe or, two months later, we are left with WTO terms.

Battle hardened by their experiences of both Brexit and Covid they will want certainty before committing their threatened cash. They know the vultures are flying in ever decreasing circles.

The piece also described the need to increase standards in order to succeed in trade negotiations, and not to tear them up in order to have an easy deal.

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Anna Bird as the next Chief Executive of the European Movement. Anna, a committed and passionate pro-European, is tasked with growing the movement and focusing the campaign effort to uphold the values, rights and access the UK currently shares with members of the European Union. The appointment comes at a critical time for the organisation, with a No Deal Brexit well and truly back on the cards. 

With a career spent in campaigning organisations in the charity sector, Bird’s appointment will bring a fresh, civil society perspective to the European Movement.

Anna joins the European Movement from Scope, where as an Executive Director she transformed the charity’s influence and reputation in Westminster and secured important wins for disabled people’s employment. She was previously a senior leader at the Fawcett Society, campaigning for women’s equality, and at Mind, the mental health charity.

Anna Bird, newly appointed CEO of the European Movement UK said:

 “I’m delighted to be appointed to the role. The European Movement is built on the passion and commitment of thousands of activists up and down the country, its local groups and its impressive network of supporters both inside and beyond Westminster. As Chief Executive of the European Movement I want to build the strength of this community -   its size, its diversity and its influence - and to make sure our work truly connects with all those across the country who are or will be affected by Brexit. .”

Stephen Dorrell, Chair of the European Movement UK said:

“Anna Bird is joining the European Movement at a critical time for the organization and for our country. Despite repeated assurances by ministers that our relationship with other European countries would not be disrupted by Brexit, and that Britain could “have its cake and eat it”, it is becoming clearer by the day that minsters plan to put the livelihoods of millions of British people at further risk at the end of this year, just at the time when our economy will be struggling to recover from Coronavirus.

The European Movement brings together people from all political parties and none, to express their opposition to this reckless and irresponsible policy and to campaign for full engagement with our neighbours in Europe who share our interests and our values. We are delighted that Anna will be joining us at such a critical time to develop our capacity to ensure those people are seen and heard”.

Over the weekend a document containing the government’s own predictions of the worst case of a No Deal Brexit coinciding with the second wave of coronavirus was leaked. Here are just some of the catastrophic consequences that the government predicts:

• A “Systemic economic crisis” creating mass unemployment, price increases, and shortages. They predict that this will hit the poorest the hardest.
• Blockages at the border threatening supplies of food and fuel, and could even lead to water rationing and power cuts.
• Crucially during a second wave border queues could lead to medical shortages

The document predicts such an extensive list of possible horrors that we couldn’t list all of them here.

This leak comes just days after Michel Barnier announced that there is a high chance that the negotiations could end in a No Deal and as scientists warn of a second coronavirus wave. This report may outline the worst case, but as we hurtle towards a No Deal Brexit it cannot be denied that this is a very real possibility.

At the European Movement, we will be working to ensure that this government does the right thing, and puts the national interest before senseless ideology. A No Deal Brexit is not a viable option, especially in the current circumstances, and it is time that Boris Johnson’s government takes this risk seriously.

We have stopped a No Deal Brexit before, and this time we want to have an even bigger Movement behind us standing against the senseless self-harm of No Deal. Please join the movement, and be a part of stopping the threat of No Deal once and for all:

When we speak with one voice, we can defend our European values.

Today Michel Barnier confirmed the worst fears of businesses, hospitals, and people around the country. Instead of the ‘oven-ready deal” Boris Johnson promised, we are facing the prospect of a No Deal Brexit.

We are already tackling two crises. We are still facing a global pandemic, with the possibility of a second wave in the autumn. And now our economy has plunged into the deepest recession on records. Whilst our country stands on a cliff edge, and the government risks pushing us off with a No Deal Brexit.

We know that a catastrophic No Deal Brexit will jeopardise our access to medical supplies, create chaos at our borders, and risk further job losses. 

This is not about party politics. This is about people. It is not too late to put ideology aside and avoid disaster.

We have stopped a No Deal Brexit before, and we can do it again.

The European Movement UK and their local activists will be tirelessly campaigning up and down the country to stop a No Deal Brexit, can you chip in to fund their fight?

Together, we will fight for what is right for our country
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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: 

Together, we can hold the government to account. 

Kind Regards, 

Hugo Mann, CEO 

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: 

#BrexitWatch Question 1:

Now that the UK government has refused to ask for an extension to the transition period, do you think that they will be able to negotiate a deal by December 31st?

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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: 

Great question Alan! While we're not sure how the Prime Minister will react, just this week both Waitrose and Aldi have pledged not to sell chlorinated chicken. It's vital that our food standards are protected in any 🇬🇧-🇺🇸 trade deal. https://t.co/MzbI4CMIrg https://t.co/NosXYc0wnU

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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

Loads of organisations have spoken out about no deal, here are just a few:
✴️Food and drinks industry
✴️Leading medical professionals and health care bodies
✴️Farming
✴️Shipping
✴️Auto Industry
✴️Fishing
✴️Many businesses

Do you know of others?#BrexitWatch @andreagewessler https://t.co/BoQ5yOoORE

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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

Well said Matti! Our Chair @stephen_dorrell is calling on the government to come clean about the impact of a No-Deal Brexit during #COVID19 👇https://t.co/a5yfWuxOYc https://t.co/muLpQFzdwZ

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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: 

#BrexitWatch Question 3:

What do you most want to see protected in any EU/UK agreement? #No2NoDeal

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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: 

Did you know? The Government's last #NoDeal impact assessment was in October 2019 - long before #COVID19. RT if you think that the government should come clean about the impact of crashing out without a deal in the middle of a global pandemic. https://t.co/a5yfWuxOYc

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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

🙌🙌🙌 #BrexitWatch #No2NoDeal https://t.co/29nj3NlzZY

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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

#BrexitWatch Question 7:

Last week, the government passed the Immigration Bill, which will officially end free movement on January 1st, 2021.

What is your favourite thing that free movement has done for you?

— European Movement UK (@euromove) July 8, 2020

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!

The Government appears on course to crash us out of the EU negotiations at the end of this month.

The resulting No Deal Brexit crisis will be on top of the catastrophic health, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Government’s own reports, a No Deal Brexit will lead to shortages of medicine and food, regulatory obstacles, bureaucratic delays and costly tariffs at borders, and a further 9.3% loss in GDP.

The Government cannot deal with two major crises at once. It must focus on defeating the coronavirus pandemic, not compound it with an unnecessary Government-made crisis.

We, European Movement branch chairs across the whole SE Region of the UK from Oxford to Kent, urge every citizen to contact their MP and County Councillor to demand the Government focus on one crisis at a time, and to legislate for a two year extension to the EU transition period which would secure the best deal for Britain.

Signed:

• Peter Burke, Chair, Oxford For Europe 
• Jonathan Buisson, Chair, North Hampshire for Europe
• Helen Gibbons, Chair, European Movement Sussex
• E Stanley, Coordinator, MoVEM - Mobrle Valley European Movement Leatherhead
• Jonathan Harris, Chair, East Kent EM
• Joanna Minchin, Chairman, Islanders for Europe, the Isle of Wight Branch of the European Movement
• Ian Berridge, Chair, Hampshire European Movement
• Ian Morris, Chair, Canterbury for Europe
• David Rowan, Chair, Portsmouth and Chichester for Europe
• John Gaskell, Chair, SW Surrey branch of European Movement
• Nicholas Kerr, Chair, European Movement Mid Kent
• Paula Welch, Chair, European Movement Eastbourne