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On march 24^th the House of Commons debated a petition for the UK to rejoin the EU. The petition had upward of 130,000 signatures, but Parliamentary procedure did not allow for a vote at the end of the debate. In the online record I couldn’t find any indication of who attended, only of who contributed; and the contributions came mainly from Labour, Lib Dem, Scottish Nationalist and Plaid Cymru MPs. They were overwhelmingly in favour of the petition. I could only find three clearly anti-rejoin voices, one conservative, one DUP and one TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice). It would be very interesting to know how many conservative MPs actually attended.  Other than those exceptions, reading the transcript frankly felt like a rejoin echo-chamber. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Abena Oppong-Asare was present, and at the end she gave the government position, which I guess we know by now. ‘You name it, we have no plans to rejoin it’.  I assume she also fed the sense of the debate back to Starmer. If he didn’t already realise the extent of support for rejoin among Labour MPs, he does now.

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-03-24/debates/843E0908-311C-4791-BB00-997E88C5665B/EuropeanUnionUKMembership

1. From: UK in a changing Europe

‘The Brexit Files: From Referendum to Reset – Review.‘

Click to access The-Brexit-Files-from-referendum-to-reset.pdf

Five years on from Brexit, the ‘UK in a Changing Europe’ thinktank offers a well-researched and well-presented overview of Brexit, from the pre-referendum period right through to the present attempt at a reset with the EU. I counted 40 contributors, all of whom are senior academics and/or researchers, and each of whom contributes (singly or jointly) a 2-4 page paper on a particular aspect of Brexit. The document is divided into three parts:

• The Brexit Process
• the Brexit Impact and Aftermath
• The Future.

Despite the high-octane expertise on show, the papers are reasonably accessible. They are also enormously informative.

2. From the European Movement

‘The Future of UK-EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities‘

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/euromove/pages/22480/attachments/original/1742385572/The_Future_of_UK-EU_Foreign_Security_and_Defence_Cooperation_190325.pdf?1742385572

This is the work of European Movement personnel. In 16 pages and 5 chapters it overviews the EU’s defence machinery and the UK’s role in Europe’s defence, actual and potential. It explores the need and possibilities of deepening UK co-operation with the EU on defence and security, and offers a set of recommendations to advance this agenda.

As of the 2024 European Movement AGM, a motion was passed to establish a European Movement Women’s network, a historic moment in our 75+ year history. We are delighted to invite you to the historic dual launch #1 of 2 of both the EM Women & YEM Women’s networks on Friday 7th March 6-7:45pm online, just before the official International Women’s Day.

Join us to celebrate the achievements of fantastic women across the Eurosphere, identify key priorities for women’s rights and meet other leaders from across the political spectrum. Hear from an incredible lineup of trailblazers, founders and chairs of women’s networks on the benefits of these spaces and come co-create our vision for the network(s) going forwards.

Chair: Cecilia Jastrzembska, Founder of EM Women and YEM Women, & President of YEM. Senior Policy Advisor, award winning speaker and political journalist. UK Delegate, EuropeTalks, Young European Socialists Committee & EU-UK Stronger Together Network Co-Chair. 

Opening address: Emma Knaggs, Deputy CEO European Movement

Panelists:

• Baroness Carmen Smith, Vice President European Movement and youngest peer in the House of Lords
• Frances Scott, Founder of 50:50 Parliament, a cross party organisation which has empowered 2,500 women to stand for local and national office. Frances was named as one of the Evening Standard’s #Progress1000 most influential political changemakers, is a TedX speaker and was included in the list of “Women in Westminster: The 100”
• Sara Hyde, Chair of the Fabian Society. Parliamentary and a London Assembly candidate, formerly chaired the Fabian Women’s Network and was in the inaugural Jo Cox Women in Leadership cohort.

If you would be interested in volunteering for a formal role in the network, please email Cecilia at cecilia.eve.work@gmail.com .

1. On January 9^th The independent published a special report on the effects of 5 years of Brexit on the UK economy. Some takeaways:

• In one year alone (2022) the value of goods exported to the EU from the UK dropped by £27billion.
• The annual decrease in UK food exports to EU is £2.8billion.
• The number of businesses that stopped exporting to the EU stands at 16,400.
• Long term hit to UK trade is 15%.

There are many more figures on the Independent’s website. They are all drawn from reputable sources (eg Office of Budget Responsibility) and deeply depressing

 

 

2. On January 16th The Institute for Public Policy Research, a major thinktank, produced a report on the UK ‘s trading relationship with the rest of the world. One of its three final recommendations relates to trading relations with the EU, and says:

“… the UK should build on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to strengthen its trading relationship with the EU. This includes proposing a mutual recognition agreement and veterinary deal, suggesting the addition of a new mobility chapter to the TCA, and pursuing an agreement to link theUK and EU emissions trading systems”

‘Mutual recognition’ relates to the need for UK and EU to recognize one another’s professional/occupational qualifications. A veterinary deal would relate to health-related regulation of food imports and exports and again concerns the harmonization of UK and EU regulations. (Morris 2025)

 

3. As for political action, the Lib Dems intervened twice last week.

First, Lib Dem MP James MacCleary introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill into the House of Commons calling for an EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme. This passed its first reading.

Second, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey made a speech last week in which he argued that the UK should negotiate a new Customs Union deal with the EU.

 

Below is a summary of grassroots for Europe events in coming weeks

12 2 25 AGM

12th February 20025 at 7:30pm. This will replace the Open Forum which is

normally scheduled on a Wednesday at that time.

All GfE Council positions are up for renewal, and some current council

members are standing down. Can you all please consider nominating yourself

or someone else in your local group? There are twelve positions including

chair and vice-chair, and we require at least one person from each region:

Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England outside London, London, Europe

outside the UK. More information will be posted in January 2025, but please

let us know as soon as possible if you are intending to stand, so we can co-

ordinate accordingly.

In the event there are insufficient nominations to Council to require an

election, we will confirm during the AGM who the council members are.

 

 

7 1 25 Grassroots for Europe Round Table Webinar

#RT52: “Eradicating VAWG; Empowering

Europe”

Join Grassroots for Europe and Young European Movement UK for a

special joint Round Table webinar #52 online on January 7th – an expert panel

discussion on Eradicating VAWG, Empowering Europe.

This webinar will review and mobilise support for action at national and

European levels to halt the current pandemic of violence against women and

girls (VAWG) across our societies. One woman is killed every three days in the

UK, and two a day across the EU. YEM UK has identified VAGW as a priority

issue in 2025 and is conducting its own campaign, Break the Silence to End

the Violence : https://1.yem.org.uk/break-the-silence-to-end-the-

violence/. Please see fuller details of this forthcoming launch event further

down this mailing.

The European Parliament has just been debating a programme of emergency

action to tackle this Europe-wide issue. Following on from this European

Parliament debate on December 11th, panellists will discuss how to halt this

trend and review progress on the implementation of the EU Directive on

VAGW, plus Labour’s performance against their pledge to halve VAWG,

followed by Q&A and discussion.

🎤 Chair: Cecilia Jastrzembska, Senior Policy Advisor, YEM President & Co-

Director, European Movement Board & National Council, Control Commission,

Young European Socialists, 50:50 Parliament Ambassador and freelance

political journalist.

http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/ceciliaeve

Panelists:

🎤 Dorothy Herson: YEM UK Vice President, editor at Cambridge University

Press, author and lawyer

🎤 Hannah Phillips: Intersectional gender equality policy expert, Civility

Commission Manager, Jo Cox Foundation; Gender Parity Consultant, United

Nations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-rachael-phillips

🎤 Sara Harris: Ask For Angela Project Worker for Leeds. Access &

Assessment Team Support Worker. Support Worker at Women’s Night Safe

Space.

Discover YEM’s campaign, art exhibition, poll and more on ending gender-

based violence here: https://1.yem.org.uk/break-the-silence-to-end-

the-violence/

Find Grassroots For Europe’s website for more information on previous

speakers and activities here: https://grassrootsforeurope.org/the-

round-table/

This free online event is open via registration to all who share our concerns.

All donations go to YEM – a small optional donation helps YEM to resource its

ambitious growth agenda.

Zoom link will be notified to attendees ahead of the webinar

 

 

16 1 25 What does a Trump Presidency mean for

Europe?

Join the European Movement in Scotland for a timely and

thought-provoking webinar just days before the

inauguration of the 46th President of the United States. This special event will

bring together a distinguished panel of diplomats, academics, and activists to

discuss the key challenges and opportunities Europe may encounter over the

next four years as it navigates a rapidly changing global political landscape.

Chaired by EMiS Vice President Alyn Smith, this event will feature a keynote

discussion with Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, the former British Ambassador to

both the United States and the European Union. Lord Kerr brings unparalleled

insight into transatlantic relations and the complexities of European

diplomacy.

With topics ranging from the future of EU-US relations to pressing global

issues like climate change, trade, and international security, this event will

provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and fresh perspectives. Additional

speakers will be announced soon, promising a rich and diverse exploration of

what lies ahead for Europe.

Date: 16/01/2025

Time: 19:00 – 21:00 GMT

Cost: Free

Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-does-a-trump-

presidency-mean-for-europe-tickets-1113603109879?

aff=ebdsshsms&utm_share_source=listing_androidJ

 

 

23 1 25 Break The Silence / End The Violence

Join YEM for our much anticipated campaign to raise awareness of,

destigmatise discussion of and combat gender based violence (GBV) and

champion gender equality. With GBV declared a national emergency in the UK

and levels rising in several EU member states, this discussion comes at a

pivotal time. An expert panel will examine the implementation of the Istanbul

Convention across the EU and performance against Labour’s pledge to tackle

violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK.

Followed by discussion and Q&A as well as a networking reception.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore materials from the official

Silence exhibition, a joint venture with multi-award winning artist

Break The Ally Zlatar.

Chair: Emma Nelson, Presenter, journalist, podcaster and broadcaster.

Currently reporting for Monocle 24 and former BBC reporter.

Speakers:

🎤 Frances Fitzgerald: former MEP and Vice President of the EPP Group, Co-

Rapporteur of the EU Directive Criminalising VAWG ratified earlier this year,

and member of the Gender Equality Advisory Board. Prior to her election to

the Dáil, Frances served as Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland

(1988-92) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby, as well as

serving as Tánaiste (2016-17).

🎤 Cecilia Jastrzembska: YEM President & Co-Director. Senior Policy Advisor

with six years experience in central UK government,

🎤 Sanna Lepola: gender equality expert and Director-General for

Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, European Parliament, which fosters

cooperation and legislative dialogue with national parliaments by providing

advice and expertise to political bodies, members and administrative entities.

This is an in-person event in London.

Date: 23/01/2025

Time: 18:30 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: Europe House, 32 Smith Square, SW1P 3EU London

Website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18pLszzh-

RjA_2wy0ZagQ6e8RfduvmN4q7QHNuCxlrOk/edit

 

 

23 1 25 The Independent

Most of Britain might have expected Brexit to be a thing of the past by now,

buried in our pre-Covid subconscious. But, as we approach the eighth

anniversary of the referendum, Brexit-related issues are just as prominent

and divisive as ever. Critics of Brexit are more vocal than ever and concerns

abound about food imports, tightened rules for EU holidaymakers and

security.

Join The Independent’s Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul as he

discusses all things Brexit past, present and future with a panel of experts.

Date: 23/01/2025

Time: 19:00 – 20:00 GMT

Register via EventBrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/will-the-brexit-headache-ever-end-tickets-893706870