Updates June 19, 2026

Highlights from 'The UK’s Future in Europe - The Next 10 Years Reimagined'

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On Wednesday, at a packed event in Westminster Chapel to mark 10 years since the 2016 Referendum, pro-Europeans, politicians and thought leaders gathered to reflect on what the next 10 years might hold for our place in Europe - and the future that we want to build.

The event also saw the launch of the European Movement’s new brand, centred on steadfast belief in the UK in Europe, and a sense of hope and optimism for the future.

Here are a few highlights from a rich and wide-ranging discussion:

Lib Dem leader Ed Davy announces his party’s commitment to joining the EU’s single market and customs union, calling on the government to scrap its ‘red lines’ on Europe which he says are ‘holding Britain back’. Watch his speech on our Instagram page.

Attorney General Richard Hermer KC passionately defends Britain’s participation in the ECHR, while acknowledging that leaving the EU has damaged Britain, our economy and our place in the world.

A resounding call to create hope and belief in a better world for young people, by making sure the benefits of connection with the EU are felt in every community came from the panel on values, citizenship and opportunity.

From AI to climate change, our ‘global issues’ discussion with Caroline Lucas, Dominic Grieve, Peter Jukes and Valerie Kirwan placed our relationship with Europe in the context of some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today.


A sober conversation on defence brought out the absolute necessity of working closely with European neighbours on our security to protect ourselves in an increasingly dangerous world.

Messages of hope and encouragement were shared by pro-Europeans who couldn’t make it on the day, including Ukraine’s Kira Rudik, Neil Kinnock, Philip Rycroft and Maurizio Bragnani. Watch Kira Rudik's speech here

The Young European Movement finished off the day with a visit to Downing Street to hand in an open letter signed by MPs, calling for progress on a Youth Experience Scheme that would open doors for thousands of young people to live and work in EU countries.

A huge thank you to everyone who came to the event, and helped make it such an inspiring and hopeful day. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel for more content from the day.

 


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