MEP calls for international election observers in EU poll
Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)
SNP MEP Alyn Smith has today given an impassioned speech in the European parliament in Strasbourg warning that the Leave campaigns lied and broke the law, and that politicians from the campaign will do so again in the upcoming EU elections.
Alyn said:
"President, thank you. So as a Scottish and UK member it turns out reports of our demise were greatly exaggerated. But I am grateful to the Council for the time, as President Tusk says, to find a way out this.
“And President Tusk, to paraphrase John Lennon, you may say that you’re a dreamer but you’re not the only one. There’s plenty of dreamers in Scotland and there’s plenty of dreamers in the UK who know that the best Brexit is no Brexit. So thank you for the time to find our way out this.
“Turning to the European Elections that my party is preparing for and looking forward to I have a warning and a plea. Learn the lessons of Brexit. The ingredients of Brexit exist in all out countries.
“Populism is on the rise, misinformation and populism is a risk to all of us and I have to say frankly that the UK’s democracy is in trouble.
"I urge you to send international observers to ensure that our European Elections are properly conducted because I don’t have faith in our domestic authorities.
“It is proven that the Leave campaigns lied. It is proven that they broke electoral law, data protection law, campaign finance rules and there is every indication that they will do it again.
“This election is going to be a fight for Europe. It is going to be a fight for international solidarity. My party and Scotland stands ready. You can count on us and I hope we can count on you. Thank you.”
