YOUNG Yessers have been making their voices heard in France and Germany in a bid to bolster Scotland’s international presence and make the case for rejoining the EU as an independent country.
A delegation of nine activists took part in the three-day “Europa Kongress” conference organised by the Social Democratic Party of Germany’s (SPD) youth wing in Strasbourg and Kehl on the French-German border.
And Jakob Haß, the SPD youth wing’s regional executive member, said the party was “looking forward to indyref2”, insisting every country should be able to determine its own future.
The trip – organised by Young Scots for Independence (YSI) following an invite from the SPD – comes off the back of YSI’s recent delegations to Denmark and Sweden, as SNP members under 30 bid to ramp up international engagement ahead of indyref2.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced an intention to hold another vote on October 19 next year and Holyrood is set to have its case for holding one without Westminster’s permission heard by the Supreme Court after the UK Government’s attempts to have it thrown out before any evidence was heard were rejected.
Participants at the conference discussed “the future of Europe” and solutions to pressing issues such as the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine, with the Scottish delegation playing a key part in talks highlighting Scotland’s global leadership in fields such as climate justice.
Haß, who is also a member of the SNP, said it was vital to get Scotland back into the EU.
He said: “At our Europa Kongress, we had the chance to meet young social democrats from all over Europe to see what we've got in common – because we believe that the huge problems in our world can only be solved together with a united Europe.
“We care about what happens in Scotland and we want to support every pro-European movement.
“As well as being a member of the SPD, I’m a member of SNP as well – and it was really important for us in Germany to get young Scots on board and learn from each other.
“We are really looking forward to indyref2 and Scotland having the choice of independence. Every country should be able to decide its own future - and especially after all that happened, Brexit, Covid, Boris Johnson, the Scottish Government has surely got the mandate to decide.
“It’s important to get Scotland back to the EU and both sides would benefit from a strong European Union."
Several parties across Europe were invited to the conference, with the SNP’s youth wing being the only group from the UK.
The conference was organised by youth members and had a focus on young people but was attended by a number of senior figures including the SPD’s General Secretary Kevin Kühnert, German MEP René Repasi and Swiss MP Sarah Wyss, as well as a host of regional politicians and journalists.
On the final day of the conference, the young Scots hosted a 90-minute session and panel discussion about Scotland’s place in Europe presenting the limitations of devolution, the opportunities of independence, and the internationalist outlook of the SNP.
The young Yessers were also able to go on a tour of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
When the Scots asked a panel of mostly German and Austrian MPs what they thought of Scottish independence and Scotland in the EU at the conference, YSI international officer Olaf Stando said they were “warmly supportive” and wanted Scotland to play its part in the world.
“As we count down to next year’s independence referendum, it’s more important than ever for Scotland to have a strong international presence,” said Stando.
“Building and expanding links with our allies across Europe, especially with social democratic parties of government, is how we’ll make sure Scotland has a solid international standing and a clear pathway to re-joining the EU.
“Young people in particular have a crucial role, as we demonstrate Scotland’s progressive values and say a loud no to Brexit – which we never voted for, but for which we all pay a heavy price.
“We want to play our full part in tackling the crises we collectively face and building a better future but our potential is held back by the damaging policies imposed by Westminster.
“It’s clear that Europe is leaving a light on for Scotland and many of our European friends – from Germany, France, Sweden and beyond – warmly welcome the prospect of independence.”
