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Conservative Leadership Debate: The Final Two
July 10, 2019
Last night, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt faced off in the first and only televised head-to-head debate of the Conservative leadership contest.
The candidates traded blows on everything from taxes to Trump, in exchanges that were often heated and personal. But despite the bluster and bravado, neither candidate was able to provide any substantive answers on Brexit.
Perhaps the most alarming moment of the evening came when the candidates were questioned by a man concerned about the impact that a No Deal Brexit would have on his business. Hunt acknowledged that businesses would be crippled by tariffs, but provided no reassurances other than “We’ll get through it”. Johnson’s answer was similarly insufficient. He claimed that a no-deal exit from the EU would be “vanishingly inexpensive”, despite the fact that the government has already spent an estimated £1.9bn on Brexit preparations.
In that moment, it became abundantly clear that both candidates were willing to put party before country. Recent polling shows that fewer than one in four members of the British public support crashing out of the European Union without a deal. However, Hunt and Johnson do not need to win over the entire country in order to enter Downing Street. They merely need to woo Conservative party members, who represent less than 0.25% of the British population.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 84% of Conservative party members would be happy for their leader to advocate a No Deal Brexit, and a whopping 64% believe that significant economic damage is a price worth paying for Britain to exit the EU.
Both candidates openly admit that a No Deal Brexit would lead to job losses. Yet in last night’s debate, both candidates were more focused on appealing to their base than protecting the British people from the severe economic consequences of a No Deal exit.
No one, no matter how they voted in 2016, voted to lose their job. No one voted to make themselves poorer. There is simply no mandate for the car crash Brexit now being contemplated by both candidates.
Watching the debate last night, it was easy to despair at the current state of British politics. However, the increasing grassroots momentum of the People’s Vote campaign offers significant cause for hope. There are now over 150 local groups (comprised of European Movement branches and our allies) taking the fight for a People’s Vote to their local communities, campaigning tirelessly on doorsteps and at street stalls across the country.
The European Movement, together with the People’s Vote campaign, has also embarked on our most intense period of campaigning yet with our summer of action, comprised of fifteen rallies across the country and culminating in a historic march to parliament square on October 12th. Our first three rallies in Leeds, Cheltenham and Sunderland have been a huge success, with MPs, celebrities, and local activists coming together to demand that the people are given the final say. Next, we are headed to Uxbridge, Boris Johnson’s constituency.
It would be a democratic outrage for the new Prime Minister, whether it be Johnson or Hunt, to force a destructive Brexit on the people of Britain, without us having the chance to be heard through a final say referendum.
With a new Prime Minister about to take office and parliament still deadlocked, the case for a People’s Vote has never been stronger. It is vital that we continue to put pressure on politicians through relentless grassroots activism. Success is well within reach – this summer, let us be heard.
MacKenzie Horn, Head of Communications
European Movement UK
D-Day and the case for a People's Vote
June 06, 2019
Across the continent today, people’s thoughts will turn to the sandy beaches of Normandy, and we will pause to remember the brave soldiers who liberated Europe from the terror of Nazism.
Clean and safe beaches – giant sand artwork celebrates what Europe has done for Swansea
June 06, 2019
Swansea’s glorious beaches are cleaner and safer than ever before thanks to EU water quality standards. Yesterday (Sat 18 May), local campaigners, with the support of surfers, created a giant sand artwork on Swansea beach to mark the EU’s contribution to cleaner beaches in the area.
The event launched a campaign celebrating what Europe has done for Swansea.
Lord Heseltine unveiled as European Movement President
May 30, 2019
The European Movement is proud to introduce the Rt Hon Lord Heseltine as the new President of the European Movement UK.
European Movement Eastbourne Branch – After Dinner Speech - May 2019
May 20, 2019
The Guardian Political Columnist, Raphael Behr was the speaker at our May dinner held at the Hydro Hotel and attended by over 75 members and their guests.
St Albans for Europe celebrates at Europe Day picnic
May 16, 2019
St Albans has a MASSIVE park, so what better place to celebrate Europe Day once again and show the ever-gaining strength of our pro-Remain sentiment?
Use Your Voice
May 15, 2019
Use it or lose it. On May 23rd, citizens of the 28 member states of the European Union go to the polls to elect new Members of the European Parliament. This includes us in the UK.
So let’s remind ourselves just how the EU and its Parliament support the key components of civil society
Thoughts for a third EU Referendum: Revoke Article 50 OR Leave with “a” deal
May 10, 2019
The Government has held a re-negotiation of our relationship with the EU that promises - at least in the short run – to make everyone worse off, less secure, and diminished in the eyes of the world. Emotionally, we have already `left’ the EU, so the pro-Europe campaign must set out a positive case to answer the question of why we want to `join’ Europe.
31st January 2019 Members' Update
May 07, 2019
Tuesday's vote has shown what we already know - that May's Brexit lacks support, and she has no solution. It's increasingly clear that the Only Way Forward is a People's Vote.
If you want to show your support for the People's Vote campaign, then you can do so at our next Action Day taking place on the 9th February before May's third attempt at her Brexit deal. The field campaign is continuing to grow, but your local group needs YOU. Click to find an action day event taking place near you!
Last week, we included our new survey to improve the experience of dedicated European Movement members like you, {{recipient.first_name_or_friend}}. Please fill in this short Members' Feedback survey if you haven't done so already. All answers are completely anonymous. And a massive thank you to all of our members that have completed the survey so far.
Finally, as promised last week, the reveal of how you can win the chance to get a discount on our online store is here! But how? We are bringing back our referral scheme that we ran in October last year. Many of you have helped us to recruit more members during that and since then.
That's why, this year, we're asking you to invite your friends and family to join our organisation, and rewarding you for your efforts.
Each month, whichever member recruits the most new members will win a £50 voucher to spend on the European Movement online shop to spend on whatever you want - including some exciting new items that have been added recently. On top of that, you'll win a signed copy of Saving Britain by European Movement Vice-Chair, Lord Adonis. And with your permission, you'll also be named Member of the Month in our newsletters for members.
PLUS whoever recruits the most members over the course of the year will get to have a dinner with a very exciting pro-European leader.
So how does it work?
All you have to do is encourage people to become members using these links unique to you:
If you just want to send it to someone directly, your unique personal link is http://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/memberships?recruiter_id={{recipient.id}}
We'll know who's become a member thanks to you, and give you the credit! You can share the link through social media, emails, messages, whichever method that you prefer, to your friends and family encouraging them to become part of European Movement UK.
To have the best chance of winning, all you need to do is encourage as many people to join as possible! That's literally it!
We hope that you enjoy this fun new incentive and thank you for your support to European Movement!
Kind Regards,
Lauren Pemberton-Nelson
P.S: If you still haven't used your New European discount, now is the perfect time to stay up to date with the latest Brexit news AND get a free book! Click here to enjoy this offer.
22nd January 2019 Members' Update
May 07, 2019
After the Brexit Vote failing last Tuesday, and May's lack of solid plan for Brexit, it's clear that Brexit isn't working, and a People's Vote is the only way forward. Thank you to everyone who attended the wonderful rally that took place last week in Parliament Square.
This is a vital time for the UK. That's why we continue to encourage you to show your support for the People's Vote campaign in whatever way you can. This includes sticking the free poster on your window, writing for our thousands of supporters on the European Movement blog (please email me at [email protected] if you're interested), volunteering for the People's Vote campaign and getting more involved with your local group. It's also still not too late to write to your MP asking them to support a People's Vote. You can also donate to the European Movement to help us further with our field campaign.
Another brilliant way to help with the campaign is attending our National Action Day taking place this Saturday! This is the second Action Day that we're holding this month because now is such a crucial time to engage with people and show that the country needs a vote on the Brexit deal! Click to find an action day event taking place near you!
As a vital part of our organisation, we want to make sure that you are getting the best experience possible! Please fill in this short Members' Feedback survey that we have created. All answers are completely anonymous.
Lastly, as we hinted last week, we'll bringing back the brilliant chance to get a discount on our online shop and more! The full details of this will be revealed in next week's membership newsletter!
Kind Regards,
Lauren Pemberton-Nelson
P.S: If you still haven't used your New European discount, now is the perfect time to stay up to date with the latest Brexit news AND get a free book! Click here to enjoy this offer.