Pages tagged "News"
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The European Movement's Open Letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds
Dear Nick,
For over 75 years the European Movement UK has upheld the principles of cooperation and peace in Europe. We welcome your government’s stated intention to reset our relationship with the EU.
However, rapid progress is needed if our economy is to grow and if we are to restore lost opportunities to British people.
We believe leaving the EU was wrong and that, in time, the UK will return. That is what a majority of the British public - and a huge majority of British young people - now want. That is what a majority of the British public - and a huge majority of British young people - now want. That is clear from a series of recent polls. For example, the Independent found that 56% would now vote to join the EU - with a significantly higher percentage of younger people in favour.But we do not want to rake over old conflicts.
Instead, we must look to the future, with our national interest paramount. Building a closer relationship with the rest of Europe is vital for our economy, for our cultural vitality and for our security.
We in European Movement will continue to campaign vigorously for the UK to return to the EU as a full member. But we respect other views. That debate will continue.
For now, the choices facing your government are about the immediate future. How to heal divisions – both within the UK and between the UK and the EU. How to deliver economic growth. How to invest in public services.
We urge you to take six key steps:
- Commission an independent forward-looking inquiry into options for the future UK-EU relationship. This can provide space for calmer reflection and take ideological heat out of the debate;
- Help keep food prices down by negotiating a UK-EU veterinary agreement to reduce border red tape;
- Negotiate a wide-ranging defence and security pact with the EU;
- Give our young people back life-enriching opportunities by rejoining Erasmus+ and entering negotiations with the EU on a youth mobility scheme;
- Negotiate reciprocal cultural touring visas to save British music, dance, theatre, and supporting industries;
- Prevent further unnecessary trade barriers by aligning UK goods and services regulations with EU rules, except if there is an unanswerable case otherwise.
Tinkering around the edges of hard Brexit will not deliver for the British people. We need informed, bold and clear action.
Your manifesto promised change, the European Movement asks that you work with us and others to deliver it.
Yours sincerely,
Sir Nick Harvey
On behalf of the European Movement
(Header image: Shutterstock)
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UK scientists granted almost €80 million in Horizon Funding
For the first time since Brexit, 50 UK-led research projects have been granted almost €80 million in EU funding through the Horizon programme, prompting celebration not only in the UK's research community but here at European Movement UK as well!
European Movement UK, along with thousands of members and supporters, campaigned to rejoin Horizon, supporting the calls from across academia to not leave UK researchers behind. The benefits of the programme seemed to be blindingly obvious and, in addition to giving much needed support to researchers, rejoining Horizon would also set a precedent for the UK once again interacting cooperatively with EU institutions – a model that could hopefully be repeated with the likes of Erasmus+.
(Image: Shutterstock)
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UK Music Touring 'Slowly Dying' in Visa Red Tape
Read moreWhile visas for musicians and youth mobility schemes are being used as negotiating tools between the UK and the EU, the reality is that musicians' livelihoods, and young people's futures, are at stake.
Last night, the FT reported that internal briefing documents at the European Commission stated that post-Brexit curbs on UK touring musicians will not be loosened. This will come as a bitter blow to thousands in the sector.
"Our industry is slowly dying. And I don't know what to do."
(Image: Shutterstock)
Rachel Nicholls is one of the UK's leading opera singers. Before the UK left the EU, she would do 5 to 10 jobs in Europe every year.
"I think we're now out of the equation in terms of working in Europe and, although I'm freelance and British, up until Brexit I was working more in Europe than I was here.
"Since leaving the EU, I've had one job there. One."
You can hear Rachel tell her story - alongside others affected in the industry - here. It comes as new research suggests almost 60% of UK musicians now say they can't tour in the EU.
Our campaign, Face The Music, urges the government to address the plight of musicians and other artists trying to work and tour in the EU. Labour pledged back in May, before being elected, to 'fix the European touring crisis,' by negotiating, 'an agreement on touring visas'.
Our petition can be seen here.
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said:
"The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, cannot get something for nothing in his EU negotiations. We really need him to be more ambitious on this front and open up conversations about mobility in general, which is what the British public want to see.
“Remember, it's not just musicians, it's theatre groups, fashion photographers, dancers, comedians and British culture in all of its wonderful dimensions. Brexit has boxed them in and it's time to tear down these walls.
“To tear down walls, the government should also be prepared to discuss a youth mobility deal with the EU. Our young people need this and the UK can’t just shut down an EU ask whilst expecting the EU to give the UK what we want. That’s not the way negotiations work.”
At a glance:
- 75% of musicians in a recent survey by the Musicians' Union said that their EU touring bookings had declined.
- The music sector of the UK creative industry accounts for over £10bn in revenue. Curtailing freedom of movement for our musicians has been devastating.
- 59% of musicians said that touring the EU was no longer financially viable. Visa waivers and musician passports were offered in the original Brexit agreement by the EU but rejected by the Conservative Government.
Hand-in-hand with the music sector, we will continue to campaign for the UK Government to Face the Music and find a solution to the issues facing musicians who want and need to tour Europe after Brexit.
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Why Keir Starmer Needs to Talk About the EU
Today's Prime Minister’s speech reminds us that we are still living with the impact of leaving the European Union.
During the General Election, the European Movement made it clear that you cannot deliver the promised economic growth and wealth creation, and we can’t build the new hospitals, schools and homes we need without addressing the fact that Brexit isn’t working.
(Image: Shutterstock)
Richard Kilpatrick, Campaign Manager at European Movement UK, said:
"A speech that doesn't mention the damage of Brexit is a speech that ignores the elephant in the room.
“If this Government is serious about “fixing the foundations” it must also fix our relationship with Europe.
“In the interest of the future of our nation and the spirit of honesty and transparency, we call on Keir Starmer to accept our call for an independent, forward-thinking inquiry into our future relationship with Europe so that we can fix the damage of the last 8 years and deliver the economic prosperity we desperately need."
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European Movement UK Welcomes Possibility of Negotiations on Youth Mobility
European Movement UK welcomes today's report in The Times that suggests the Government is looking to negotiate a reciprocal agreement with the EU, one that could see UK citizens 18-30 being allowed to live and work in an EU country for a set time period, with a reciprocal arrangement for EU citizens to do the same here.
We know the EU is keen to open up discussions with the UK about an agreement on youth mobility.
This could bring massive benefits for young people, and for the cultural and personal connections between our country and other parts of Europe.
It's also really popular, with polling showing that even Leave voters are 68% in favour of such a scheme.
But are our government willing to listen? It's unclear. The Times reported a government source saying it could be on the table in negotiations with the EU. But The Guardian has another government spokesperson denying any plans to open discussions.
The European Movement supports greater freedom to travel, collaborate, live and work between our country and the EU - for everyone. But tackling barriers that Brexit put on young people's future is the right place to start. That's why we're also campaigning to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, and regain access to opportunities for training, study, sport, and more.
(Image: Shutterstock)
Cecilia Jastrzembska, President of Young European Movement, said:
"The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has had a devastating impact on opportunities for young people, particularly our withdrawal from the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme. YEM UK looks forward to the government meaningfully strengthening relations with our European neighbours."
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said:
“A mutual youth mobility scheme is such an obvious good for all concerned that a YouGov poll in April found even Leave voters were 53% in favour vs 27% against. The public support for such youth opportunities is absolutely overwhelming and I am baffled as to why the government seem so heavy-hearted and timorous about such a win-win. We’re a European country - it’s exciting - let’s embrace it.”
Mark English, European Movement UK's Policy Expert, said:
"It is time for a grown-up discussion, so it's good news that the government is reconsidering its earlier inexplicable hostility to a youth mobility scheme with the EU. After all, the UK has youth mobility schemes with 13 other countries - including Australia and Japan - so it makes sense to have one with our nearest neighbours and closest partners.
"No-one expects the government simply to accept the detail of a proposal not yet even endorsed by EU member states. But dismissing the idea of reciprocal youth mobility simply means letting down British young people who face all sorts of economic difficulties and have seen their horizons curtailed by Brexit. Young people want and deserve the chance to study or work in Europe. The government owes it to them to make sure they get that chance."
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European Movement UK Delivers 30,000+ Signatures to New PM, Demanding Action on UK-EU Relations
European Movement UK has presented the new Prime Minister with a petition signed by over 30,000 people, calling for immediate steps to rebuild the UK's relationship with the European Union.
This comes as recent polls show 59% of Britons now favour rejoining the EU, signalling a clear shift in public opinion on the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Key Points:
- 30,000+ signatures delivered to 10 Downing Street
- 59% of Brits now support rejoining the EU (YouGov)
- Urgent call for government action as new political term begins
We are urging the new Prime Minister to capitalise on the momentum generated by the European Political Community Summit, calling on the new government to take concrete steps to reset the UK’s relations with European leaders.
[Image: European Movement UK]
The petition, an open letter to Keir Starmer, outlines the key points of our Manifesto on Europe, a blueprint for rebuilding UK-EU relations published during the 2024 general election campaign.
The four points of the Manifesto on Europe are urging Starmer to:
- Promote a pragmatic foreign policy which has at its heart the UK working in much closer collaboration with all our European neighbours.
- Recognise that European relations have been a divisive issue in British politics, we urge you to commission an independent ‘State of the Nation’ assessment of our future relations with Europe, with clear, objective analysis and recommendations to the Government as to how any improvements can be made, and proposing remedies for negative impacts Brexit is having on the UK economy and key cultural and societal sectors.
- Seek deeper agreements with the EU on shared issues from defence to food safety to fighting climate change, establishing a new working framework with the European Union.
- Put the rights of a generation hit hardest by Brexit first by opening negotiations with the European Union to restore the UK’s inclusion in Erasmus+ and accept the invitation to negotiate a bilateral youth mobility scheme.
Handing-in the petition were representatives of European Movement UK, European Movement in Scotland, Wales for Europe and Young European Movement UK.
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We are all itching to go faster, but the new government is off to a great start
This piece by European Movement CEO, Sir Nick Harvey, was first published by Bremain in Spain.
Pro-Europeans can view the election of the new Parliament and Government through either a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty prism. I prefer the former.
Yes, we would all have preferred Labour not to be elected with red lines drawn against the customs union, single market or ‘rejoin’ – though experts tell me those would barely have been feasible in the first term anyway.
But we have seen the new PM totally reset the relationship with Europe at the Blenheim summit, the new Foreign Secretary start talks about an ambitious UK-EU security agreement, and the first King’s Speech signal an enabling bill to allow ‘dynamic alignment’ with evolving EU regulations.
It is a great start.
(Image: Shutterstock)
Beyond these, EMUK has a shopping list of things the new British Government could do in the next few years to rebuild relations with the EU – some unilaterally, some by negotiation, some by improving the 2020 deal – but none breaking their self-imposed red lines.
High priority is a veterinary/food deal, along with dropping Tory ideological objections to the ECJ and playing divide-and-rule between EU states. Revisiting citizens’ rights would help – easier access to UK universities and for agricultural workers, a youth mobility scheme and performers’ visas. Co-operation is needed on energy, crime and justice, medicines supply and critical raw materials. We should join the Pan-European Mediterranean Convention.
We also need greater regulatory alignment and to avoid divergence by mirroring VAT and carbon border adjustment mechanisms, and keeping up with EU rules on pharmaceuticals, chemicals, pollution, and emissions. Rejoining EU agencies like Euratom, Erasmus+, the Environment Agency, and the Medicines Agency’s ‘open partners’ scheme would help. And a huge prize would be regulatory equivalence in financial services and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
There is plenty to keep them busy – and if we make substantial progress on these sorts of things, the entire relationship will get to a very different place. Each time the British public sees its government sit down with our EU neighbours and resolve an issue though a mutually-beneficial solution – and proudly proclaim the outcome – we will gradually detoxify and normalise discourse about the European issue.
If that happens, then by the end of this Parliament we could be in a very different place in terms of what manifestos might say in 2029, and what possibilities could open up in the second term.
Of course, we are all itching to go faster. But the country is not. The wounds from 2016-2019 are deep, and collective PTSD endures. Labour and Lib Dems knew this and judged their 2024 pitch deftly.
The mistake now would be to cut and run for ‘rejoin’ too soon. Our step-by-step approach must continue, and with a new Government will gain momentum. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time…
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European Movement Welcomes New UK Government And Calls For Renewed EU Relations - Sir Nick Harvey
"European Movement UK welcomes the new government under Sir Keir Starmer," said CEO, Sir Nick Harvey, "and congratulates the newly elected MPs, alongside those who have retained their seats."
"We now look forward with the hope that the new government," he continued, "and the influx of pro-European MPs from across all parties, will seize the opportunity to put an end to the divisive politics of the past decade, which has left families poorer, public services in pieces, and the UK's reputation and influence severely diminished globally."
"The next parliament faces serious challenges, but also a unique opportunity, to rebuild the economy, breathe life back into the NHS, and ensure the UK plays its part on the world's stage.
"Finding solutions to many of those problems will involve serious assessments of our future relationship with the European Union, and facing the damage that a hard Brexit continues to wreak on us all. We cannot rebuild the UK without rebuilding our relationship with the EU.
"We must grasp this opportunity for a new dawn for the UK's relationship with Europe, and European Movement UK will not hold back in helping to hold the new government to account. With swathes of new MPs, and a completely new complexion in Parliament, we're finally in much better territory to build energetic and sustained support for our European future."
(Header image: Shutterstock)
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European Movement UK launches tool for voters to see where their candidate stand on Europe at the General Election
European Movement UK has unveiled a new online tool to help voters understand their local candidates' positions on European issues ahead of the general election on 4th July.
The "Manifesto on Europe Postcode Lookup" allows users to enter their postcode and view responses from candidates in their constituency regarding their stance on our Manifesto on Europe and of dealing with the impact of Brexit.
The tool aims to make Brexit and UK-EU relations a key election issue and European Movement supporters are putting Europe on the election agenda by contacting candidates to seek their commitment to action on rebuilding the UK's relationship with Europe.
Want to know what your candidates are saying on Europe? Use the postcode checker here.
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EM Group hosts show for Face The Music, as Labour Party promises a better deal for touring artists
EM local group, Stratford4Europe, organised two days of campaigning for Face The Music - a street stall and a concert - after applying for and receiving a grant from European Movement UK.
Beginning with a street stall on May 25th, the group organised a performance from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday, May 30th, at the Holy Trinity Parish Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Following their performance, the musicians gave personal testimony to their own feelings about the campaign and gave an encore of the European Union’s national anthem to end of the evening.
The packed-out 150 capacity hall concert was full of support for the Face the Music campaign, with some of the audience even writing letters of support in the local paper.
This event takes place after European Movement activists took action across the UK in places like Swansea, Lambeth, Edinburgh, and Swindon, for our Face The Music Action Weekend in March, and the timing of this event is also very important.
European Movement UK has been campaigning for months for urgent action to be taken on behalf of musicians, whose ability to perform or work in Europe has been crippled by post-Brexit bureaucracy. Speaking to the FT this week, Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised that a Labour government would seek "improved touring rights for UK artists".
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