Europe News

Click here to read the minutes of the European Campaign Committee Meeting on 17 Jan 2017.

Speaking at the recent Delay Article 50 demonstration, Hazel Dawe has been appealing to MPs to defend our rights and amend the Brexit Bill, warning of the possible implications in triggering Article 50 without more thought.

See Hazel in action in this video clip.

Tonight MPs will start voting on the Brexit Bill, to trigger Article 50. Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and former Oxfordshire County Councillor, explains why she wants to work together to stop Britain suffering the worst effects of Brexit.

The Green Party has put forward some key 'Green Guarantees' that we think must be met before Article 50 is triggered, starting our exit from the European Union. Without these guarantees, Brexit risks turning the UK into a meaner, less tolerant, and poorer country; a country where our environmental standards and rights as workers and consumers are sacrificed on the altar of trade deals and competition.

You can read the full list of Green Guarantees online at mollymep.org.uk/brexit/#guarantees.

Here is the declaration from the Citizens CETA Summit in Brussels, signed on behalf of Oxfordshire Green Party by Councillors Ruthi Brandt.

The Greens have asked a leading barrister for information on the rights of EU nationals in the UK you can find answers to your questions here:

Following our Campaign group meeting on 16th November, we are issuing templates for supporters to use to write to Conservative MP's on the Environment and Human Rights.

You can use the following websites to use to report hate crimes:

Background: While the anti-immigration propaganda can be linked to the surge in hate crime and according to news reports some people clearly did think that immigrants would have to ‘Leave’ when their vote won, immigration does not necessarily account for people’s choice to vote ‘Leave’. An area by area analysis done at Nottingham Trent University shows that ‘Leave’ votes were generally higher in areas with lower proportions of immigration. This may suggest that less familiarity with ‘outsiders’ breeds fear or prejudice, but it complicates any assessment of voter motivation. Some areas were Conservative shires, others were de-industrialised areas oppressed by the privatisation and austerity policies of successive governments.

Background: Both referendum campaigns were cause for concern. The ‘Remain’ campaign failed to make any positive  case for the EU and it’s doom-laden scenarios, while not unfounded, backfired. The lack of a positive case enabled the  ‘Remain’ campaign to be labelled ‘project fear’ and easily dismissed by people who have suffered under successive UK government policies. The label ‘project fear’ led some people to feel a vote for ‘Leave’ would punish the Government, the Conservatives, and the whole ‘Westminster Bubble’.

Background: Legal opinion is divided on whether Parliament must be involved in triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which starts the withdrawal negotiations, or whether the Prime Minister can invoke it by executive order without parliamentary consent. Theresa May has said she will not trigger Article 50 until “a UK approach and objectives for negotiations” is agreed - which implies parliamentary involvement in setting objectives, also that she wants “the Scottish Government to be fully engaged in [the] discussion”, which implies willingness to consult. Parliament’s role in the invocation is uncertain.

Background: In the House of Commons there is an Early Day Motion (EDM 259) on safeguarding the status of both UK citizens resident in other EU countries and citizens of other EU countries resident in the UK. To date (25.8.2016) it has 41 cross-party signatures from seven parties (Labour, SNP, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SDLP, Green, Plaid Cymru) plus two independents. A large number of signatures on this EDM will support the second reading of ‘EU Citizens Right to Stay Bill’ (see below).

Check whether your MP has signed it at: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/259

Oxfordshire Green Party has responded to one of the first national consultations to be held about policies after Brexit. The Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons ran a consultation on the future of agriculture and the environment after Brexit. Steve Dawe, Policy Coordinator of Oxfordshire Green Party, compiled the Party's submission to
this consultation. He comments:

A parliamentary petition on the referendum has collected over 4,140,000 signatures and has been given a parliamentary debate to be held in Westminster Hall at the House of Commons on 5 September at 4.30pm. For those who cannot attend in person it should be viewable on parliamentlive.tv.

Oxfordshire Green Party will be supporting the Oxford March for Europe, being held on Saturday 3rd September at 11.00am, starting at Bonn Square and marching to Broad Street.

• http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/contacting-your-mp/https://www.writetothem.com/

Oxfordshire Green Party will be supporting the Oxford Stays rally being held at 5.30pm in Broad Street, Oxford on Thursday 21st July. This rally will support many Oxfordshire residents whose right to stay in the UK may be under threat as a result of the Leave decision on 23rd June.

Oxfordshire Green Party will be supporting the Oxford Stays rally being held at 5.30pm in Broad Street, Oxford on Tuesday 28th June.

On Monday night, 90 people turned up to hear the social and environmental case for the EU.

We now have video recordings for you to watch.

The fight for the UK to remain in the European Union has entered its final week. On Thursday 23rd June, voters will decide whether the UK remains in or leaves the European Union. Oxfordshire Green Party will be continuing it’s campaigning up to and including the final day of this referendum campaign.