Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 09 June 2015
09 Jun 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
European Union Referendum
Our country makes the biggest impression on the globe when we are open, positive, diplomatic and generous. Of course, there have been periods in history that we would prefer to forget about and consign to the past, but we should be proud of what Britain does best when we seek partnership rather than difference.
As a Liberal, I am an internationalist with a hunger to share with others the opportunities and challenges that the world presents to us. That is why I am pro-Europe. We should not forget that out of the ruins of war came one of the most powerful global institutions to spread peace—the European Union. It may seem a rather grandiose claim to talk about peace and the European Union, but we should remember that we secure peace not just by procuring more missiles, tanks or fighter jets but by securing the more fundamental aspects of life. With wellbeing and sharing of the environment, economy and resources comes the wellbeing of everyone. Free markets, common social and employment standards, protection of our environment and shared diplomatic endeavours are functions of the European Union that I value and which deeply underpin our security and progress the wellbeing of us all.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-13404, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the European Union referendum. 14:21
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
Scotland has been a positive and integral part of the European Union for more than 40 years. Engagement with the European Union and its institutions has been...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Is the cabinet secretary aware that Dr Sarah Wollaston, who is the MP for Totnes in south Devon, advocated precisely that point in this morning’s debate on t...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I am very grateful to Stewart Stevenson for that intervention and am pleased to hear what he said because I think that the case for letting 16 and 17-year-ol...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
If Scotland votes no but the rest of the UK votes yes, how will double majority work?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I do not think that Scotland will vote no. Indeed, if we look at the opinion polls, it is well in advance—Interruption. Presiding Officer, as long as there a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
I think that things are under control.
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
On the double majority, by the same logic, why were the people of Orkney and Shetland not given a veto during the independence referendum last year?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I think that the people of Orkney and Shetland have their own issues with their current MP. However, the point is that this is a national referendum about ou...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
No. On timing, no date has yet been set, but it is imperative that a referendum avoids the Scottish Parliament and local elections in May 2016 and May 2017....
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I want to pursue some points on the EU reform agenda. The Scottish Government has never argued that the EU is perfect, and we set out our suggestions in “Sc...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to take part in the debate. It is not that long since we had a debate on Europe, but this one takes place in very different circumstances. We no...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
On 9 June 1975, after the result of the previous referendum, Mrs Thatcher said: “one cannot let this occasion pass without paying tribute to ... Winston Ch...
Claire Baker
Lab
I can always depend on Stewart Stevenson to make an interesting intervention. I am not convinced that the introduction of a double majority is the way to re...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I will say a brief word about the tragic death of my fellow Highlander, Charles Kennedy. His presence will be particularly missed in the forthcoming debates ...
Christian Allard (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the member for taking an intervention. Yes, Britain is an outward-looking country—or it was. The European Union Referendum Bill does not say that I...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
And your point is?
Christian Allard
SNP
Does that mean that I am allowed to vote in the referendum because I am allowed to vote in a parliamentary election in constituencies in Scotland?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Mr McGrigor, I will give you some extra time.
Jamie McGrigor
Con
I do not know whether Christian Allard will be allowed to vote or not. That is my honest answer. If countries such as France, Germany and Belgium want a fed...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
Our country makes the biggest impression on the globe when we are open, positive, diplomatic and generous. Of course, there have been periods in history that...
Neil Findlay
Lab
I ask Willie Rennie to reflect on those comments and consider how those values have affected the people of Greece.
Willie Rennie
LD
The attempt to create a single market and force economies together with a single currency has flaws. However, we need to work together. If we keep Greece in ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Appreciation of Europe, perhaps?
Willie Rennie
LD
Thank you, Presiding Officer, for the wit. There are parallels for the SNP, because the issue of independence was resolved last year. The world does not rev...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We now move to the open debate with five-minute speeches. 14:57
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
The debate about the UK’s membership of Europe is in the main this, and I quote: “It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury Signifying nothing...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I tend to agree with The Guardian editorial this morning that suggested that the referendum was “another chapter in the destructive Conservative psychodram...