4 November 2024
Just a few words about the last year.
I emphasise that we are not a party political organisation but we are campaigning on issues where clearly there are major party based divisions within the country and indeed within our area.
We feel very strongly that our mission is to keep the public eye on the ball as far as the UK’s place in Europe is concerned. We believe passionately that this is a European country and our best interests are served by cherishing and building on relationships with our neighbours. Any political party which sees value in undermining them is doing the country a disservice.
What is positive is that the shift in public opinion has continued over the last year, and we can now confidently say that the pro European case we are making is the will of the people. We clearly still have to deal with people and groups for whom Brexit is treated as some kind of holy sacrament which should not be “betrayed“. However they are a minority. The real enemy is apathy. For while now over 60% regard Brexit as a mistake and over 50% would wish to rejoin given the opportunity, nationally in the public consciousness the issue of Europe has fallen below numerous others, for example the cost of living crisis.
We have an incoming government which in opposition campaigned strongly against Brexit, and a parliament composed of a majority of pro European MPs. Yet, as we know, ministers and government spokesman behave as if Europe were a toxic issue. They talk about a reset in relations and yet remain unenthusiastic about Erasmus, youth mobility schemes and other practical manifestations of reset. They remain committed not to introduce meaningful change such as membership of the single market of customs union. The position has not changed since the election and we will perhaps have to wait until the next one for there to be real progress. In the meantime it is our job to help prepare the ground and tell people that there is nothing wrong with believing in a better future. This is a cause the European Movement, to which we are affiliated, is doing all it can to keep alive.
Within the European Movement there are a number of branches which have shrunk to a small core. Fortunately we’re not one of them and we remain active and vibrant. Indeed with our intrepid social media team we are a role model for many of the others. We hope that will continue, but we also hope that there will be other role models around the country going forward.
During the year the core team has continued to meet on a regular basis. We have had one very successful public meeting, in March, and our next one is scheduled for the 27th of this month. We have not given up on public Zoom meetings and we will try to organise those where we can. We have done a street stall (in May) and we have also taken an active role in the third National Rejoin March in September.
A few special words of thanks. Firstly to our social media team, Cathie, Howard and Susan. Secondly to our honorary secretary, John, who inherited the role a year ago from Jo, with whom I’m pleased to say we have kept in touch. Then thanks to our outgoing treasurer, again Susan, and to Cathie who will be stepping into her shoes. We owe thanks to Geraldine for all her hard work on the newsletter, and to Lizzie for keeping our Twitter/X presence alive. Finally thanks to our many supporters for continuing to keep in touch.
Peter Burke
At the AGM the following officers were elected:
Chair: Peter Burke
Hon Sec: John Tanner
Treasurer: Cathie Wood