Kirk backs EU membership

The Church of Scotland has reaffirmed its backing for the European Union as its General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for the UK to remain a member, one month before the In-Out referendum takes place.

Today’s vote is the fifth time in the last 20 years the Kirk’s General Assembly has voted in favour of remaining in the EU, with the same stance backed in 1996, 2002, 2005, 2014.

The motion that was carried by an overwhelming majority of 730 commissioners, church representatives, gave thanks for the work of the EU in promoting peace, security and reconciliation amongst European nations.

It stated that the UK has been part of the EU and its forerunners since 1973 and should continue as a member after the referendum on 23 June.

RELATED CONTENT 

Alex Salmond warns against 'project fear mark 2' in EU referendum

David Cameron's EU referendum patriotic blues

Rev Aniko Schuetz Bradwell, a minister in East Lothian, said she had grown up in East Germany close by the dividing wall until it was torn down when she was 7 years old.

She said: “On the 23^rd of June I will not have a vote despite having lived in Scotland for 10 years.

“I was born and grew up in East Germany behind a wall, and not even very far from it.

“I was 7 years old when that wall came down, and I still remember vividly how much life changed for us afterwards.

“We have a choice now and I hope we will choose to build bridges, not to erect another wall.”