European Movement selects vice president from Scotland for first time

AN SNP MP has been named as a vice president of a pro-European organisation in a first for the movement.

The European Movement UK has appointed vice presidents from Scotland and Wales for the first time – naming Stephen Gethins and Plaid Cymru peer Carmen Smith among the group of five.

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and former attorney general Dominic Grieve have been unveiled as the two new co-presidents of the organisation.

Gethins said it was a privilege to be asked to take up the position at a “pivotal” time following the election of Donald Trump to the White House.

He told The National: “The European Movement has been working to build deeper links with the rest of Europe for decades. It is a privilege to have been asked to be a VP of the organisation.

“This could not have come at a more pivotal time. With Trump’s election, being outside the EU will leave us more worse off than ever, as other European countries come together for security and economic reasons as well as providing opportunities for their citizens.

“I am looking forward to building that pro-European case with colleagues such as Caroline and Carmen. It is crucial for Scotland that we maintain our links given how much Scotland has benefitted from engagement with the rest of Europe.

Caroline Lucas has been appointed co-president of the organisation (Image: Jonathan Brady) “However, it is a two-way process and from our universities, food and drink industry and energy sector we see just how much the rest of Europe also has to gain from engagement with Scotland.”

The group said the joint leadership of Lucas and Grieve “embodies the spirit of cross-party collaboration essential to addressing the challenges facing the UK today”.

Outgoing president Michael Heseltine will continue as a patron of the organisation.

Lucas said: “We need to restore the opportunities Brexit has stolen from our people and businesses. By working hand-in-hand with the EU, we can tackle the climate emergency, lower energy bills, and ensure a fairer, greener future for everyone.

“This is a fight for our planet, for fairness, and for future generations. The European Movement UK is a dynamic cross-party force, and Dominic Grieve and I are committed to building a closer, stronger relationship with Europe to drive meaningful change.”

LibDem MP Layla Moran, Labour MP Marsha de Cordova and Conservative Tobias Ellwood have also been chosen as vice presidents.