AUSA Politics & International Relations: February 2014

#ABDNEuroDebate

This question time event was organised by the European Movement in Scotland in conjunction with our beloved AUSA Politics and International Relations Society. This event was supported by the European Movement Scotland, European commission, and the European Parliament.

A little bit about the European movement in case you missed the event...

The European movement originated in the aftermath of the Second World War. More than 800 delegates from across Europe gathered in 1948, under the chairmanship of Sir Winston Churchill, this was to create a new movement to unite Europe and prevent war between its members. In the 1950's and 1960's, the European movement put forward the arguments for joining the European Economic Community. They played a huge part in the YES campaign, and other campaigns since then have included the direct elections to the European Parliament in the 1970's.

The European Movement Scotland is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, funded by its members. It's objective is to "contribute to the establishment of a united Europe founded on the principles of peace, democracy, liberty, solidarity, and respect for basic human rights. It seeks to provide a structure to encourage and facilitate the active participation of citizens and civil society organisations in the development of a united Europe". They call for a closer integration and co-operation at the EU level in areas where collective EU action can deliver better results than individual member states can when acting on their own.

Here's what happened...

The event was a great success, we had over 120 guests both students and non-students, that came along to see the debate, and learn more about the European Union, Scotland's position in the European Union currently, and in the future. They came to ask questions and challenge the panel on their knowledge, and also to get some answers from experts in the field of the European Union, Politics and the United Kingdom.

The event began promptly at 7pm, with Professor John Curtice, a Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde University, introducing the panel members; Professor Michael Smith, a Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen, Lewis MacDonald MSP for North East Scotland, Linda Stewart, Direction of European and International Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands, John Edward, Director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, and Jenny Wilson, a MSc Student in International Relations and International Law and PR Officer for the AUSA Politics and International Relations Society.

Professor John Curtice's opening question 'What has the European Union done for Scotland?', he passed the question to Michael, who responded that 'all government is a necessary evil, and the EU is one of these necessary evils' which was followed by Linda's response that 'the EU has given us a broader insight'. This was then followed by Jenny who said that: 'The EU brings the diversity that is in this room tonight, it enriches academic learning'. Lewis MacDonald focused his response on post-war Scotland, and 'how the EU allows us to reconnect with historic ties and allies'.

(You can read our live twitter feed of Monday's event in the sidebar on the right hand side of the page!)

The great thing about this event was that each and every panelist offered a different view and opinion, it allowed us to see the view of a professor, an MSP, a university director, a student and a director of the Scottish Council. This diversity in expertise created a great atmosphere, and allowed room for a proper debate to take place. This meant that we could get a complete understanding of the European Union and why we should care about Scotland's position within it.

Not only did our students with questions do a fantastic job in asking questions and participating throughout the event, we also had fantastic support on twitter using the hashtag #ABDNEuroDebate. This allowed those at the event to tweet their questions as they came to mind, and get an immediate response from the panel. The use of twitter was very useful throughout the debate, and it was great to have so much support on twitter from those who were there and those who created the event. You can still search the hashtag to see what happened, and follow our feed at @ABDNPIRSoc where Jackson (Treasurer for Aberdeen Politics and International Relations Society) and Ysabelle (Blog Officer for the Society) kept everyone informed with what was going on throughout the entirety of the event.

Ysabelle managed to interview the panelists before and after the event, here is what they said:

Jenny Wilson

How are you feeling about this evening?
I'm really looking forward to what I think will be extremely interesting discussion between the panel. I'm not sure how much I am going to be able to contribute, because I am a bit nervous, but hopefully I manage to pull out a good few lines! So far it looks as the attendance for tonight is going to be quite big, which I am so happy about. It is great to see fellow students engaged in political matters - the next seven months are so important to Scotland's future it is important that we all strive to educate ourselves so we can all make informed decisions come September 18th.

Do you focus on the EU in your current course, and do you want to focus on it in the future?

I focus mainly on Latin America and doing MSC on international relations and international law with the hope of securing employment within the international development sector, government or civil service. Although I don’t focus on the EU in my studies, I do feel that it is something important and that there is a lot of speculation surrounding the EU and Scotland and what will happen if Scotland does go independent which is why I am here tonight.

Tonight we can predict that there will be a lot of questions surrounding Scotland as an independent country, if it does become independent what do you think will happen with the relationship between Scotland and the European Union? What does independence mean for Scotland the EU?

Well first off. I would like to say that I am hoping that Scotland does not become an independent country, as it would be a sad day to break up such a successful union. In the unlikely case that we do become independent I feel that Scotland will have a hard task attempting to negotiate their EU entry within the 18 month timescale they have quoted - due to many issues such as fisheries quotas and tuition fees. But eventually they will gain membership - probably not with all the opt outs the SNP wants, but they will be a member.

Lewis MacDonald MSP

Firstly, I’d like to thank you for attending tonight, we’re really excited to have you here. If you could just your career, and your journey into politics?

I taught in the history department at Aberdeen once I finished my PhD in African Studies at the University. I began my route into parliament and politics primarily via activity in the community. I first worked and set up the office for GREC which focuses upon Racial Equality in Grampian, and then also energy efficiency. Then I began working as a parliamentary researcher for Frank Doran MP for Aberdeen South until 1999, I was also a Shadow Cabinet Adviser for Tom Clarke MP for Monklands West, then I became a candidate myself, and I am currently and MSP and Chief Whip for the Opposition. I have attempted to keep my links with Aberdeen University as much as possible, and that’s why I am so happy to be here tonight where it all began.

How do you feel about sitting on the panel tonight?

I am looking forward to it, it is a hugely important area, and what people think about Europe and the perspectives from this part of the country are extremely important. I am particularly interested in the views of the younger audience and next generation that will be here tonight. It is about broadening people’s horizons and informing people of the political processes behind the operation of the EU. One of the things that is vital to me, is that as people, in this country we are stronger working together – there is no use in pretending there are not conflicts of interest, of course there are but the European Union is a positive thing for the UK.

I think the idea of supporting the European Union, but not supporting the British Union makes absolutely no sense at all. We should start with the relationships we have built across boundaries already before spreading out. For me the European Union builds from my experience of the British Union and is a similar idea, just on a larger scale. For those who think that we should not be part of the UK, but should remain in the EU, for me, that makes no logical sense at all.

Professor Michael Smith

How are you feeling about tonight? Are you looking forward to it?

I am thrilled; I think it will be interesting. I’ve never participated in something like this before; having other experts to talk with is different to what I am used to.

Could you tell me a little bit about what you do?

My main area is European security and defence, so I look at the EU from that perspective. So I had a five year grant from the European Union to look at how the EU is becoming an international security provider which is something that is not exactly normal for an economic institution to try to do that. So the grant is to write about that puzzle. The grant is finished, and now I am writing the book, which is going very well. The idea is to have the book finished by the end of summer.

Scotland is already part of the EU, so if everyone relies on logic, common sense and good faith and the independence vote is a clear yes, then I think it is in everyone’s interests to allow Scotland to enjoy its current benefits rights that it already has rather than interrupt them and renegotiate their rights and terms and have them enter as a new state – it all depends on how the rest of the UK is going to handle it if it happens.

Linda Stewart

Could you tell me a little bit about what you do at the University of The Highlands and Islands?

My job title is Director of European and International Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We are quite a new institution, using a different university model to the traditional university model. I look at all the different European links that we have with other universities and other higher education institutions, and other European institutions like the European commission. Also looking at European projects and research projects, and also looking at the funding we get from Europe.

How do you feel about tonight? Are you looking forward to it?

Yes, I am very excited for tonight; there is such an interesting mix of people on the panel so everyone will be contributing different kinds of inputs.

From an institutional point of view, our European engagement is part of who we are, and it has been hugely important for us as an institution. In financial terms it has helped us to create what we are, and in terms of looking outward it has been hugely important. Whatever happens come september, I think we need to make sure that we keep this union going.

I managed to catch up with John Edward after the event.

How did you find the panel discussion tonight?

I love this kind of thing, I love any excuse to speak about these kinds of subjects. As is evident from tonight, if people have the interest in these subjects, there is no shortage of people to engage in these kinds of events.

Tonight there were a lot of questions surrounding Scotland as an independent country, if it does become independent what do you think will happen with the relationship between Scotland and the European Union? What does independence mean for Scotland the EU?

If the vote is yes, then I have no doubt that Scotland will be a fully participating member just as it is part of one at the moment. But there is a big IF, between now and that happening. It depends on who is running the country and what their views are. I don’t think that It won’t happen, but I also don’t think it will happen overnight.

I also bumped into Christine Jardine at our event, who is running as a candidate in the next election for the constituency of Gordon. She kindly answered a few of my questions.

How did you hear about the event tonight?

I like to keep in touch with what is happening within the university through the Politics and International Relations Society and Liberal Youth Scotland, so I just wanted to come along tonight to hear what people had to say. Obviously because of the elections coming up and my interest in Europe I was interested to hear what people had to say. I think that what Jenny said about politicians having to engage with the public, students and young people is very important, and I think that some politicians are blinded in thinking that it is all about ‘now’ but actually it is all about the future and its all about your future and that’s another reason why we need to get people interested in voting and communicating with people.

That’s a different question, because I don’t think that we will go independent. What tonights discussion pointed out for me was; that everytime someone was asked a question on an Independent Scotland in the EU, their answer began with ‘it depends’. It depends on things that are out with our control, it depends on the attitude of the other states, it depends on the attitude of the rest of the UK, and for me that is a huge thing in the independent debate, at the moment we do not need to depend on the rest of the UK to negotiate a currency union, we already have a currency union, so why leave and have to negioate our way back in? The same applies to the EU. It’s not really good enough to answer ‘it depends’. Better together are often accused of scare mongering and that is often the perception of the no side, but I don’t see it as a negative, I think it’s a positive thing. I am proud of the parliament that we have at the moment, the liberal democrats worked very hard with the conservatives and labour to get this parliament. I am even more proud of the enhanced powers that’s the parliament is getting with the Scotland Act 2012, and I think we have got something positive and that is working for us, we have something that is helping us make our own decisions about our own future, we should build on that relationship within the UK, that is a far more positive way ahead.

I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about your campaign for the next election.

The university is just outside of Gordon, my daughter has just been offered a place at Aberdeen University so I’m sad its just outside of it. I am looking forward to that campaign, for the liberal democrats the North East is very important to us, and what we have seen for the last few years is the liberal democrats at the very heart of government. The things we have been delivering locally have been great and we plan to continue that.

I hope that this blog post helped you gain a little bit of knowledge about the event, just in case you missed it.

We hope to see you at our next event!

Ysabelle McGuire

Blog Officer, Politics and International Relations Society.