Letter: Unlike MPs, our MEPs “will have a genuine say over Brexit”

In a letter to the Bristol Post, Bristol’s Green MEP, Molly Scott Cato, today says that unlike MPs, MEPs “will have a genuine say over Brexit”. She concludes by saying, “while I remain a member of the European Parliament, I will work to ensure peaceful solutions. Rather than gunships my weapon of choice is the pen”.

The full letter reads:

Dear Editor,

A resolution setting out the terms for negotiating Britain’s exit from the EU has received overwhelming support in the European Parliament. It is interesting to note that unlike our Westminster colleagues, MEPs will have a genuine say over Brexit. The withdrawal agreement and any future or transitional agreements between the EU and UK can only be enacted following consent by the European Parliament.

However, for pro-EU Brits this is an emotionally harrowing time. I have had to acknowledge my future lies not with my civilized MEP colleagues, with whom I have been negotiating law by consensus for three years, but with the braying mob of UKIP MEPs and the Tories they have taken hostage. Together they have seized control of the country I love.

The resolution calls for the UK to maintain a close relationship with Europe, contrasting dramatically with the divisive and destructive approach of the Tory government. Within just a week of triggering Article 50 former Conservative leader Michael Howard threatens war against a European ally over Gibraltar. Such jingoism shows how powerful the Union has been in promoting peace and maintaining basic standards of diplomacy. It also reveals how flimsy these basic freedoms seem without European support.

While I remain a member of the European Parliament, I will work to ensure peaceful solutions. Rather than gunships my weapon of choice is the pen and I coordinated a letter, signed by English, Scottish, Welsh and Spanish MEPs [1]. This challenges Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to condemn the remarks by Michael Howard and calls on the UK and Spanish governments to work together in the best interests of all.  

Molly Scott Cato MEP, Green, South West and Gibraltar

European Parliament

Brussels

[1] http://mollymep.org.uk/2017/04/05/green-meps-condemn-sabre-rattling-gibraltar/