High winds and heavy rain did not deter pro-EU campaigners gathering in central Glasgow last night (31 Jan) to “Keep a light on for Scotland.” Organised by Glasgow Loves EU, the focus of the event was a giant LED star that lit up the evening sky. The meeting outside Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was arranged to coincide with the third anniversary of the UK leaving the EU.
“It is clear that Brexit is a failed project”, said a spokesperson, “We are here to remind the government in London that Scotland wants to be in the EU. Across the UK, Brexit is recognised as causing deep and lasting damage to the economy. The public knows we are far better off being part of the EU. That can start with rejoining the single market”.
Similar gatherings took place across Scotland and the UK. They happened on the day that polling found that Brexit is favoured by only three out of Westminster’s 650 constituencies across Britain. At the same time, the International Monetary Fund published a forecast that says the UK will be the worst performing major economy in the world in 2023.
Scotland voted to remain in the EU
In the 2016 EU referendum, Scotland voted 62% Remain and every local authority district in the country recorded a Remain majority. Recent polls say support for EU membership in Scotland at around 70%. In other parts of the UK polls have put Brexit dissatisfaction at around 58%.
In his last speech to the European Parliament in March 2019, before UK MEPs had to leave, Alyn Smith (now an SNP Westminster MP) said,” Scotland is a European nation. I am asking you to leave a light on so we can find our way home.”
Glasgow Loves EU is a non-partisan group working to retain close links with Europe. It regularly organises live and online events. It is affiliated to the European Movement in Scotland, which coordinates campaigning across Scotland. It works closely with the European Movement south of the border.
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