It’s Europe Day today and I find myself quite emotional. This country finds itself outside the European Union and with the prospect of no trade deal at the end of this year. Presumably Boris Johnson’s government thinks that we won’t notice that nasty little act of economic vandalism in the midst of the economic chaos wreaked by Coronavirus.
We know from the last few weeks how bloody difficult isolation is in our personal lives and so it is the same on the international scene.
Over on the Lib Dem website, Ed Davey has written this message for Europe Day:
Europe Day is a reminder of the value of international cooperation.
Only by working internationally can we effectively combat international challenges.
It is also an opportunity to recognise the contributions EU citizens living in the UK make to our society. These friends, colleagues, neighbours, and family members enrich our lives every day.
During this crisis the contribution of migrants, including those from the EU, has been immense.
On Europe Day 2020, we therefore give our heartfelt thanks to those in our NHS, those working to ensure we all have access to food, and those filling other essential roles.
We cannot thank the people on the frontline enough for going above and beyond to look after us all.
None of these people should face being kicked out of the UK by the Home Office after the service they have provided.
Liberal Democrats will continue to call on the government to grant these heroes automatic indefinite leave to remain.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social
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5 Comments
Well said Ed this is what we should concentrating on!!
We may not be members of the EU but we’re still members of the Council of Europe as are 46 other European nations. The first recognition of Europe Day was by the Council of Europe in 1965 and not the EU or even the EEC!
There does seem a lot of confusion between the two organisations. For example, nearly everyone thinks the well know blue flag with a circle of stars is the creation of the EU. But design goes back to 1955, and, yes, the Council of Europe, some 30 years before the then EEC started to use it too.
There has been much controversy, in the UK, about membership of one organisation but none at all about membership of the other. Yes, let’s celebrate Europe Day but let’s do in on the right day!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_Day
I agree with Peter Martin. What happened to our Partys message for the Council of Europe Day which took place on the 5th of May?
https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/europe-day-5thmay-council-of-europe-works-with-eu-to-overcome-pandemic-crisis
It does grate a little on how Lib Dems try to bring everything back to the question of Brexit and EU membership. Britain has always been one of the most cosmopolitan of the European countries. That’s unlikely to change any time soon. Nearly everyone has some ancestry which includes those born outside of the UK.
We all aagree we have people doing a fantastic job in the NHS right now who originate from all over the world. The consensus of opinion is that everyone who is making a positive contribution to our society should be allowed to stay. Yes, there will inevitably be bureaucratic insensitivities about how laws are interpreted and these will need to be challenged.
But it really shouldn’t make any difference if those being affected originate from inside or outside EU borders.
When the naked truth of the reckless Brexit is known, the younger voters will insist we rejoin.