EU Referendum 2016: Q&A with the Scottish Parliament opposition parties on the EU

Is it fair to say Scotland is more supportive of the EU than the rest of the UK?

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservatives: There are opinion polls that would suggest that, but we have seen how wrong these can be. I have a feeling the referendum result will not be as different in Scotland as in the rest of the UK. We will find out soon enough.          

Ross Greer, Scottish Greens: The polling and my own anecdotal experience would suggest Scotland is generally more pro-EU, but it’s not guaranteed. There are still a significant number of undecided voters and a resurgent Leave campaign playing to people’s worst fears. We need to fight for every Remain vote here.

Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour: Time will tell, but Scots certainly understand it is possible to be part of a larger union with neighbouring countries without losing either our identity or our distinctive institutions. We are relaxed about having more than one identity in the wider world, and long may that continue.

Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrats: The polls would suggest that is the case, but I know that there are people in every part of the UK who share my view that we can achieve more when we work with our friends and neighbours in the EU. When I lived in Cornwall I knew many people whose jobs depended on our trade with Europe. They are as anxious as anyone in Scotland that we protect these ties.

What have been the main benefits of the EU and its forerunners?

JC: There are the obvious economic advantages of the free movement of people and goods, but I think the biggest benefit has been a bit more abstract – bringing a divided continent back together and the recognition that cooperation across borders benefits all individual countries. This was crucial after the horrors of the Second World War, but just as significant after the end of the Cold War.

RG: Improvements to workers’ and womens’ rights, free movement of people, real efforts to protect the environment (like halting the dumping of raw sewage by our beaches) and the cap on bankers bonuses – won by Green MEPs – are all great achievements. The one which is reason enough to vote Remain in itself though is seventy years of peace and cooperation for the first time in our history.

LM: European co-operation began as a direct response to two world wars, and it has delivered seventy years of peace in Western Europe, by supporting development both within the EU and in neighbouring countries. For much of that time we have also enjoyed the economic benefits of the single market, and the social benefits of freedom of movement and the sharing of democratic values and human rights with more and more member states in southern and eastern Europe. Common standards of rights at work and as consumers, and freedom to travel, work and study within the EU also bring huge benefits now and for future generations.

WR: With all the talk on what Brexit could mean for the economy we sometimes forget that there are still people alive today who were sent to fight in Europe to defend our way of life. There are many frustrations that come with the EU but we should never lose sight of the fact that this is the first time in a long time where debates across Europe are settled at the negotiating table, not at the barrel of a gun. This is something that we should treasure. The EU and its forerunners were crucial in building a peaceful continent.

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If you could change one thing about the EU what would it be?

JC: There is no doubt in my mind that there are savings to be found throughout the EU machinery and that money is being wasted because of weak scrutiny arrangements. The worst example of this is the travelling circus between Brussels and Strasbourg, the ending of which would do more to improve the image of the EU than any slick PR.

RG: I’d scrap the TTIP trade deal. It’s a corporate power grab which puts private profit before our democracy. The movement against TTIP across Europe has made huge progress and whilst we’ve not won yet, I’d trust a Westminster government out of the EU even less to negotiate such deals.

LM: I would like the EU to be more effective in letting the citizens of member states know how decisions are made, how they can influence decisions and what options are open to member states and to MEPs in trying to get decisions right.

WR: I think that there needs to be far more clarity around how decisions are made in the EU and how that is communicated to the general public. Obviously the EU isn’t perfect but we can lead that change so that it becomes more democratic, more transparent and work towards the benefit of everyone in Europe.

What is your view of the decision-making processes of the governing institutions of the EU?

JC: Inevitably, an institution of its size will be unwieldy and cumbersome, but considering the need to take into account the views of 28 individual member states, I think it is doing a pretty good job. The transparency of these processes, however, is something that needs to improve significantly.

RG: In a word – poor. The European Parliament still isn’t nearly powerful enough compared to the appointed bodies, and given its role as our democratically elected voice, that needs to change. The Commission and the Council clearly have too much power and little transparency, but it goes beyond that, the European Central Bank and the Eurogroup are shockingly unaccountable and we’ve seen what that results in through their treatment of the Greek people.

LM: Continuing to democratise EU decision-making is a work in progress, but the principle of power shared between member states and European institutions is the right one. Member states choose to delegate powers under qualified majority voting in certain areas, but retain ultimate authority as sovereign states. A democratically-elected European Parliament is a good thing, but does not get the attention it deserves, at least not in this country. That is the real deficit. Responsible politicians and journalists need to ensure EU decision-making is better understood, rather than simply making it the fall guy for difficult decisions which governments would have had to make anyway.

WR: I think its fair to say that sometimes decision making can take some time, but to an extent this will always be the result of working together across 28 countries. But the benefits of this collaboration are clear.

Has the EU campaign damaged the Conservative party?

JC: The Conservative Party has always been a broad church of opinions on many issues, including the EU. Unlike some other political parties, our belief in democracy extends to internal party views too. Just like the whole country, we are having a robust debate with strongly held opinions sometimes clashing. I am confident we will come together again no matter the result.

RG: Hopefully. Given this referendum is nothing more than a Tory leadership contest, with the whole country and our economy held hostage, they deserve all the damage they are doing to each other and more. The question is whether they can pull it all back together, especially considering their slim majority.

LM: Yes. How far we will find out soon enough!

WR: I think the splits in the Conservative party over Europe are well documented. I don’t wish to intrude on their private grief, but it is fair to say that there are bridges to be rebuilt following the vote.

To what extent has its handling of the refugee crisis damaged the EU’s credibility?

JC: The refugee crisis was and remains one of the most challenging events in the EU’s recent history, but it extends well beyond just this one institution. It has certainly put the Schengen Agreement under strain and exposed cultural and political differences between states in unprecedented circumstances. Ultimately though, it showed how progress can be made through cooperation – that’s what the EU is built on.

RG: Free movement of people is one of Europe’s great principles, but right-wing politicians have stirred up anti-refugee feeling across the continent. Those of us who see refugees as human beings in desperate need make the point that the refugee crisis (at least in part of our making) won’t end if we vote to leave; the only solution is one involving all European nations.

LM: War and famine in the Middle East and Africa have driven many thousands of people to take desperate measures, and this refugee crisis has tested the capacities of both the EU itself and member states. It has shown the need for co-ordination and for common strategies, for example, between Germany and the Balkan countries. It has also highlighted the importance of being part of a shared response to major world events: Europe together can respond far more effectively than an individual country ever could on its own.

WR: This humanitarian crisis has caused real difficulties for Greece and other countries in the south of the EU and it there is a great deal more we can do to help. But I will always believe that we are better placed to manage these challenges as part of something bigger.

If you were going to live in any country apart from Scotland, which would it be?

JC: Switzerland. I know, it’s not in the EU, but that’s not why! It enjoys an exaggerated Scottish landscape, but with reliable weather, and my wife and I find the alpine climate, culture, landscape and lifestyle very relaxing. We used to take a huge chalet and have a large family gathering, but as the years have gone by its reduced to just the two of us. Roll on July!

RG: In Europe I’d have to say Stuttgart in Germany, given that the state (Baden-Württemberg) has the world’s first real Green government. That’s not a very interesting answer though, so my non-political answer would be Greece for the solid food choices, amazing history and the culture.

LM: I don’t plan on living anywhere else, but if I did it would be in a country where I could hope to enjoy the rights and share the values I have here in Scotland. Most of those countries are also in the EU.

WR: I lived in Cornwall for many years and still have friends there. Leaving Scotland isn’t on the agenda, but if you twisted my arm I would have to say England – the South West to be precise.