This second edition in the Bruges Forum 'After Brexit, What Next for Scotland?' will explore different perspectives on how Brexit has affected Scotland, and what the future may hold for Scottish-EU relations.
The event will begin with 30-minute keynote introduction from Scottish National Party MP and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Alyn SMITH, with the final hour then dedicated to a panel discussion alongside Dr Kirsty HUGHES, Director and Founder of the Scottish Centre on European Relations and Dr Fabian ZULEEG, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre. There will also be an opportunity for an audience Q&A.
In the Brexit referendum of 2016, in contrast to the UK as a whole, Scotland voted to remain in the European Union by a majority of 62%. Since then, the Scottish Government, led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been a vocal critic of the Brexit process and has called for a fresh independence referendum in light of the ‘material change of circumstances’ constituted by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Brexit critics have also pointed to the particular impacts of UK withdrawal on Scotland, given the nation’s reliance on migrant labour from the continent, the importance of European markets for Scottish food and drink exports and European links for Scotland’s higher education institutions.
This event will explore these issues, while also considering the impact of the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections to be held on 06 May and the prospects for constitutional change in coming years.
This event is open to the public but registration is required before 14 April 16:00.
Please direct any questions to ronan.mclaughlin@coleurope.eu