An independent, European future for our country??

Reform's worrying successes in English elections last week have re-energised supporters of the cause of Scottish independence within Europe.

One expression of this takes place this Friday evening, 9 May, when there will be an event in Edinburgh organised by Europe for Scotland: 'Scotland in the EU: Good for Scotland, Good for Europe'. It will be held in the Augustine United Reform Church, starting at 6.30 pm, and free-of-charge tickets can be booked by clicking here.

If you can't make it in person (and - please note - there'll be refreshments and nibbles on arrival!), it's still worth registering, as the event will be livestreamed and can be accessed if you obtain a ticket for online.

Former Scottish National Party MEPs Heather Anderson and Alyn Smith will share observations from the recent EfS delegation to Brussels, and there will be discussion on the ways forward, and celebration of Scotland's many connections to Europe.

Setting the scene for the meeting, the EfS team say 'last week delivered a stunning political twist across the English-speaking world. In both Canada and Australia, anti-Trump forces pulled off unexpected victories — while in England, Trump ally Nigel Farage made such a dramatic surge in local elections that his once-outlandish claim to become the next UK Prime Minister suddenly sounds alarmingly possible ...'/

The EfS assessment is that, in Candada and Australia, 'progressive incumbents who were expected to falter triumphed instead—precisely because they confronted Trump-style extremism head-on and offered voters a hopeful, credible alternative. Their victories are proof: when leaders show backbone against far-right populism, voters reward them with trust— and votes.

'Now contrast that with the UK, where Starmer’s government suffered a bruising defeat in Thursday’s local elections. Labour lost hundreds of councillors, a key by-election, and a lacklustre vote share'.

Published 7 May 2025