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European Movement Eastbourne's dinner
January 25, 2019
Brendan Donnelly, Director of the Federal Trust, was the speaker at our January dinner held at the Hydro Hotel and attended by over 70 members and their guests.
Brendan opened his talk by giving his analysis of the current situation in Parliament where the Withdrawal Bill was being debated. He recognised that this month's decisions had changed impacted the course of Brexit a lot, including the controversial decision of the speaker to allow MPs a vote on a Brexit amendment. He referenced the UK’s unwritten constitution and precedent, commenting that it was unsatisfactory that important issues are in the hands of one or two individuals.
His analysis outlined the difficulties faced by the Prime Minister over the last two years in her negotiations with the EU and trying to contain discontent within her own party, where there was no consensus on the way forward with various factions, including wanting a No-Deal Brexit or those supporting a People's Vote.
He felt that the Prime Minister would spend the next two months continuing to present her
deal as the only option, but he recognised that nobody could see how this will play out.
The speaker at our next dinner on 13 February 2019 will be Professor Roger Eatwell, University of Bath. If you would like to come to our February event or just learn more about the Eastbourne European Movement, then please call our Chair, Paula Welch on 07510851722 or visit www.europeanmovementeastbourne.uk
Paddy Ashdown 1941-2018
December 27, 2018
The European Movement heard with the great sadness of the passing of Lord Paddy Ashdown.
The demand for a People’s Vote is growing
December 13, 2018
"SSTIE Brexitometer evidence shows that The demand for a People’s Vote is growing
As part of the People's Vote National Action Day on Saturday 8th December, SSTIE were joined by some residents of Tonbridge from other groups and most encouragingly by several new people joining us at our Brexitometer. This bustle of people became a magnet for many passers by and drew many into discussions with us.
The results of our polling speak for themselves with 78% in favour of a People’s Vote and 73% in favour of No Brexit. These results echo what SSTIE has uncovered in the past fortnight in Swanley and Sevenoaks.
Macclesfield and East Cheshire Action Day
December 13, 2018
European Movement Macclesfield and East Cheshire, along with Wilmslow for Europe ran 3 very successful street stalls on Saturday as part of a nationwide People’s Vote Action Day.
In Macclesfield, many of David Rutley’s constituents were eager to express their dissatisfaction with Theresa May’s deal and how the Brexit negotiations have gone; over 100 postcard messages were written during the morning. One local campaigner, John Handford said, "Standing around casting long winter shadows in Macclesfield could have been a chilly experience but the warm reception and enthusiasm from so many people, very keen to sign and send off cards to their MP in support of a People's Vote, certainly has been growing noticeably in the past few weeks. Many were keen to take extra cards for family and friends too. All very encouraging really."
The Nantwich stall meanwhile drew people to its Brexitometer, a straw poll which revealed most enthusiasm for ‘No Brexit’ and the right of the public to have the final say in a People’s Vote. But even many in favour of Brexit agree that, now so many of the 2016 promises have been shown to be undeliverable, it would be fairer to put the Brexit deal that we have ended up with back to the people.
Wilmslow's Action Day
December 13, 2018
Campaigners braved the driving rain on Saturday to continue their request for a People’s Vote on Brexit.
Representatives of Wilmslow for Europe and 15 volunteers spoke to local people on Grove Street about the possibility of a vote on the Brexit deal.
More than 400 postcards were distributed during these discussions calling on constituents to make a stand, write to their MPs and demand to have a final say on Brexit.
The public-engagement event was part of the People's Vote National Action Day, with thousands of people taking part and asking for their MPs to reject May's Brexit deal and instead support a People's Vote. This deal was due to be voted on in Parliament on Tuesday but was pulled at the eleventh hour because it could not garner enough support to win.
Wilmslow for Europe Spokesperson Sarah Murphy said, “The overall impression was that people were incredibly fed up with Brexit, whichever way that they had voted. They felt that May’s deal was worse than being a member of the EU with the voting rights and benefits that includes and that, despite some reservations about putting a vote back to the public, it seemed the only fair way out of an impossible political stalemate.”
Alton street stall a joint success
December 13, 2018
As part of the People's Vote National Action Day on Saturday 8th December, a street stall in Alton, Hampshire, jointly organised by North Hampshire for Europe and Hampshire for Europe. Volunteers came from as far as Woking and Farnham to help on the day.
Women for Europe's letter template
December 07, 2018
If like us, you’re watching the unfolding politial car-crash in astonishment, please take a moment and put pen to paper and let your MP know your thoughts. They take note of all their post – and if we can bombard them with requests for a People’s Vote before Tuesday’s “meaningful vote” it might help sway some waverers.
To make this easy, we’ve put together a letter you can print off at home and send to your MP. Add your name, address and the name of your MP and you’re done.
It’s not too late to get a People's Vote– and with the Government in such disarray there’s everything left to play for.
This content was originally posted here. You can find out more about Women4Europe on their website, facebook and twitter
Why it's important to take part in People's Vote events
December 04, 2018
Every day, the demand for a People's Vote gets stronger and stronger, as the wonderful benefits of the EU become more apparent, whilst the harsh reality of Brexit hits hard, which are set to get worse IF the UK leaves the EU. Every weekend and on many weekday evenings, the People's Vote local groups, including European Movement local branches highlight this through the events they hold.
Whether it's social evenings, panel discussions or street stalls, our groups are engaging with people in their local area about the Brexit debate and about the importance of the People's Vote campaign, and this is why you should join them.
Women for Europe rally for a People's Vote
November 06, 2018
"We are keen to continue to engage in the struggle for a People's Vote. There are many reasons why women in particular are so angry and frustrated, not least because our voices have been heard far less than men’s both during the referendum, and over the last couple of years.
This was very much the theme of the rally we held with Women for a Peoples Vote, the Womens Equality Party and the fabulous speakers that joined us on the day before the People's Vote March.
We would like to extend our thanks to Rupa Huq, Labour MP and dogged campaigner and proponent of women’s issues in Parliament, Mary Honeyball Labour MEP on the Womens Equality committee in the European Parliament and Julie Ward,Labour MEP also a keen supporter of gender equality in the European Parliament who works tirelessly for her constituents and the wider European project. Catherine Meyer, co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party talked of her and her party’s opposition to the Brexit now on the table and their support for a Peoples Vote and Shola Mos-Shogbamimu from Women’s March London, inspired us with a cry that without proper representation by MPs on this issue, they could expect nothing less than a drumming in the next election if they fail to hear our voices.
Brexit is wrong. St Albans For Europe is putting it WRITE.
November 05, 2018
Who writes letters these days? Who bothers to pick up a pen? Find a piece of paper? Locate an envelope that still sticks… BUY A STAMP?!
Passionate, angry and determined people who want a People’s Vote, that’s who.
St Albans for Europe’s letter-writing event last Saturday was a storming success, bringing people flocking to the latest market stall and then round the corner into the reception area of a nearby friendly hotel. Helped along by the promise of a free tea and coffee and all the writing materials, the writing corner was a hive of activity.
Two of St Albans team had not only provided a lengthy list of all the local MPs likely to crop up (St Albans market attracts visitors from a large surrounding area) but also those of relevant ministers too – why stop at your own MP, after all? MPs need to have those postbags filled to bursting, so that we leave them in no doubt that the ‘will of the people’ is to have a People’s Vote.
But they didn’t stop there. The group also provided a list of topics for individuals to consider when penning their letters. The topics were intentionally personal – encouraging people to write as individuals, expressing concerns about the impact of Brexit on their lives. Letter authors put pen to paper and expressed their deep concerns about the impact of Brexit on their jobs, their families, their communities, on the UK they love and the risk to the union.