Chamber
Plenary, 09 May 2002
09 May 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Europe Day
Who could forget that it was a Conservative Government that took the United Kingdom into the Common Market in the early 1970s? Europe day, if any, is a time to reflect on how the EU and its development have been a political struggle in all parties in the UK. After all, Labour campaigned against membership in 1974 and even Tony Blair wanted to withdraw from Europe in 1983.
No one should claim the copyright on the EU or its institutions, nor should they be naive enough to believe that what is in favour with the electorate today will remain so for eternity. Until now, debate and argument on the future of Europe have been beneficial to its development. Member states have progressed treaty by treaty to where we are today, but we have never locked ourselves into commitments. That is at the heart of the debate on the future of Europe and its governance.
I was born at the time of Britain's entry negotiations. Having lived in many continental countries, I have no fear of Germans coming over the border or of French invasion, but I fear that the citizens of Europe are often left behind by political elites in the decision-making process. Most of us have seen the Europe day postcard with its symbol and the narrative on the back. It gives rise to the debate itself. It says that 9 May
"is an annual opportunity to celebrate the EU's achievements and reflect on its aims. Peace, freedom, prosperity and working together towards shared goals."
The last word in that quotation is what the debate is about. The challenge for us is to define those goals. Most of the public are not consulted on or aware of what those goals should be. I think that Europe is at that crossroads once again this year.
My party and I believe that the goal should be a wider, looser Europe, with the values of subsidiarity and diversification at its heart, and that the best way to bring Europe back to its citizens is to devolve power and decisions back to them. That is not best achieved by going over the collective heads of member states' Parliaments.
Other parties are open about their opinions, too. The European Committee heard evidence from Andrew Duff, the Liberal Democrat MEP who is also head of the federalist group. In the convention on the future of Europe, he pushes openly for the plan that he believes in: a federal Europe. That subject is open to debate and such views have been honestly put forward.
My belief, of course, is that although a federal system would theoretically allow a more direct route between citizen, elected MEP and, perhaps, European president, it would come at the expense of the nation state.
Irene Oldfather referred to the terrible rise of nationalism, which I think is a symptom of citizens' feeling frustrated and left out of the decision-making processes. Who can forget the Irish people's refusal of the Nice treaty? It struck all of us who visited Brussels that the EU Commission carried on regardless. We cannot ignore the people of different parts of Europe who are expressing their dissatisfaction with some of the things that are dealt with by European policy makers.
If the EU ignores the people of Europe and carries on regardless, people will feel more and more alienated—which is what has contributed to the scandalous rise of nationalism in recent years. Whatever we secure for the future of Europe, we must ensure that it is in touch with people and that people in this and other countries are consulted more often about the future direction of Europe.
Today, however, is an opportunity to reflect on the good things the EU has brought us: security, better trade, better culture and integration. Let us celebrate the fact that—hopefully—my generation will, as a result of the existence of the EU, not experience the wars that killed so many in the past.
I am pleased to support the motion, and so is my party.
No one should claim the copyright on the EU or its institutions, nor should they be naive enough to believe that what is in favour with the electorate today will remain so for eternity. Until now, debate and argument on the future of Europe have been beneficial to its development. Member states have progressed treaty by treaty to where we are today, but we have never locked ourselves into commitments. That is at the heart of the debate on the future of Europe and its governance.
I was born at the time of Britain's entry negotiations. Having lived in many continental countries, I have no fear of Germans coming over the border or of French invasion, but I fear that the citizens of Europe are often left behind by political elites in the decision-making process. Most of us have seen the Europe day postcard with its symbol and the narrative on the back. It gives rise to the debate itself. It says that 9 May
"is an annual opportunity to celebrate the EU's achievements and reflect on its aims. Peace, freedom, prosperity and working together towards shared goals."
The last word in that quotation is what the debate is about. The challenge for us is to define those goals. Most of the public are not consulted on or aware of what those goals should be. I think that Europe is at that crossroads once again this year.
My party and I believe that the goal should be a wider, looser Europe, with the values of subsidiarity and diversification at its heart, and that the best way to bring Europe back to its citizens is to devolve power and decisions back to them. That is not best achieved by going over the collective heads of member states' Parliaments.
Other parties are open about their opinions, too. The European Committee heard evidence from Andrew Duff, the Liberal Democrat MEP who is also head of the federalist group. In the convention on the future of Europe, he pushes openly for the plan that he believes in: a federal Europe. That subject is open to debate and such views have been honestly put forward.
My belief, of course, is that although a federal system would theoretically allow a more direct route between citizen, elected MEP and, perhaps, European president, it would come at the expense of the nation state.
Irene Oldfather referred to the terrible rise of nationalism, which I think is a symptom of citizens' feeling frustrated and left out of the decision-making processes. Who can forget the Irish people's refusal of the Nice treaty? It struck all of us who visited Brussels that the EU Commission carried on regardless. We cannot ignore the people of different parts of Europe who are expressing their dissatisfaction with some of the things that are dealt with by European policy makers.
If the EU ignores the people of Europe and carries on regardless, people will feel more and more alienated—which is what has contributed to the scandalous rise of nationalism in recent years. Whatever we secure for the future of Europe, we must ensure that it is in touch with people and that people in this and other countries are consulted more often about the future direction of Europe.
Today, however, is an opportunity to reflect on the good things the EU has brought us: security, better trade, better culture and integration. Let us celebrate the fact that—hopefully—my generation will, as a result of the existence of the EU, not experience the wars that killed so many in the past.
I am pleased to support the motion, and so is my party.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S1M-3032, in the name of Irene Oldfather, on Scotland and Europe day.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament is proud to mark Europe Day as a celebration of the founding of the European Union (EU); endorses the fundamental principles of the EU as...
Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab):
Lab
This has been a very exciting day for the Parliament and I will say a little bit more about that in a moment. I thank the business managers of all parties in...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Does Irene Oldfather agree that it is not just the duty of the Parliament to spread awareness of Europe throughout Scotland, but the duty of the Government?
Irene Oldfather:
Lab
I absolutely agree with that and I am sure that the minister will take that point up in his summing-up.Our Parliament has been the voice of Scotland today, c...
Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Irene Oldfather for getting this matter on the agenda. I spent 24 years in the European Parliament and, oddly enough, was nominated for the unelected...
Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Who could forget that it was a Conservative Government that took the United Kingdom into the Common Market in the early 1970s? Europe day, if any, is a time ...
Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Irene Oldfather on securing the debate. She is absolutely right to say that first the European Coal and Steel Community, then the European Eco...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
No they are not.
Mr Raffan:
LD
I said that many of them are, but there are more to come. Foolish men will be swept away—particularly those on my right.A week tomorrow I will be in Rosyth t...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, congratulate Irene Oldfather on helping the Parliament to mark Europe day through this evening's debate. I pay special tribute to Winnie Ewing, who i...
Irene Oldfather:
Lab
The member will no doubt be interested to know that this afternoon's "Newsdrive" has covered Europe day.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I am delighted to hear that. One can always trust the BBC's "Newsdrive".Last week, I started to read Primo Levi's "If This Is A Man", which is the author's s...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Irene Oldfather not only on today's debate, but on her boundless enthusiasm in promoting Europe. Although many of my colleagues and I do not a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
Several members have added their names during the debate to the list of members who wish to speak. I am about five minutes short, so although I will accept a...
Motion moved,
That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended until 6.00 pm.—Irene Oldfather.
Motion agreed to.
Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Irene Oldfather, who is the convener of the European Committee, for securing the debate. She always keeps an eye on such anniversaries, which keeps t...
Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, pay tribute to Irene Oldfather for so skilfully securing a debate on Europe day on 9 May. It is a delight to work with Irene, with our colleagues on ...
Ben Wallace:
Con
Will the member give way?
Helen Eadie:
Lab
I am on my last two seconds.When the people of Scotland go on their summer holidays this year and start to use euros, they will really understand the differe...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I endorse whole-heartedly every word of Irene Oldfather's motion. I would also like to record my appreciation for the power of work that a number of people d...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I am pleased that the consultative steering group looked to Europe in establishing our Parliament. We are elected proportionally using the same constituency ...
The Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services (Peter Peacock):
Lab
As Irene Oldfather and other members have said, today is a day for celebrating a remarkable achievement and the vision and commitment of our forebears in set...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
The minister will appreciate that one of the debates on the future of Europe is about where executive power should lie, that is, whether it should lie with t...
Peter Peacock:
Lab
I will draw some of those points out as I proceed.The forthcoming enlargement of the EU, which we support strongly, will increase the population of the EU by...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Peter Peacock:
Lab
I wish to make progress.Scotland has influence in the European Economic and Social Committee and in the Committee of the Regions. It also has influence in lo...