It will be a big day in Dumfries on 27 April 2024, when former top civil servant Philip Rycroft joins former senior BBC journalist David Shukman in conversation about the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, what has happened since and where Scotland and the UK stand now.
The event is being held at noon at Moat Brae in Dumfries, the home of the National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.
Speakers to discuss the UK and Scotland, post-EU
Philip Rycroft was the top civil servant in the Department for Leaving the European Union for two years before March 2019. It was one of the most turbulent political periods in the UK’s recent history. Theresa May’s government was in deep trouble with its own backbenchers. Relations with the EU were under great strain and the UK’s devolved administrations were shut out of negotiations. Parliament was in turmoil and Boris Johnson and his supporters were plotting to bring down the prime minister. They succeeded and Johnson became prime minister following his big general election win in December 2019.
Rycroft, who began his civil service career in Scotland and later held senior posts with the Scottish Government, has returned to live in Scotland. Among his duties in the final stages of his civil service career was as head of the UK Governance Group, which led the UK government’s work on UK constitutional affairs and devolution.
David Shukman’s BBC career began as a reporter in Northern Ireland. He then held senior editorial posts covering defence, Europe, global affairs, the environment and science. He became the BBC’s first Science Editor in 2011.
David Roulston, chair of the Southwest Scotland EMiS branch says;
“The UK is on the edge of a general election. Europe will vote in May for its parliament. America will decide its president in November and war rages in Gaza and Ukraine. It is perhaps a good time to listen to people of great experience who made and reported on recent great events. It will be a fascinating discussion.
“Moat House is famous for its association with J M Barrie, the local man who gave the world Peter Pan. Brexit has been a disaster for the UK and delivered no tangible benefits. I am reminded of the conversation between John and Michael in Peter Pan.
“Michael, the buried treasure, where is it?”
To book tickets visit the link.
More from: Martin Roche on 0771 574 9621 or martinroche55@gmail.com
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