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The 1066 branch of the European Movement was set up to give people living in the Bexhill/Battle and Hastings/Rye constituencies - of all political persuasions - the chance to meet together at a local level to discuss the UK's relationship with the European Union and better understand the situation in which the UK finds itself.

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What Now?

All Members should have received an invitation to 

The European Movement AGM 2023

It will take place on 25th November at the Manchester Art Gallery, M2 3JL from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm GMT

 It will take place in a hybrid format with an in person meeting in Manchester and an option to attend virtually via Zoom.

Follow this link for more information and to register.

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There is an election for a new Chair of the European Movement UK

Voting is open now and until  midday on 20th March, 2023

For Full Details Click here

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Our next Discussion Group Meeting is Planned for Sat 13th or Sat. 20th May, 2023

Details will be sent nearer the time.

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 The future political, economic and military structure of Europe, and the UK’s relationship with it.

A Discussion on this topic was held on Saturday 2nd July at Brambles, Hurst Lane, Sedlescombe TN33 0PE.  Starting 10.00 a.m.

The Brexit debate continues to rumble on, with the problems it has created becoming steadily more obvious. Meanwhile, events are leading to big changes in the wider European context.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has painfully brought home to EU and other European countries their economic and military vulnerability. Previously neutral Sweden and Finland are applying to join NATO, Germany has been forced to rethink completely its policies on energy and defence spending. And re-elected French President Macron has proposed an entirely new European Political Community, which would include not just the EU itself, but the UK and Ukraine.

What should the UK do in these circumstances? Should we, perhaps, try to alleviate our economic problems by re-joining the Single Market via EFTA and the EEA (the “Norway solution”) as a preparation for renewed EU membership? Should we back Macron’s plan for a wider European political structure? Or should we continue to rely on NATO and the US? What then happens if Trump is re-elected US President?

This discussion was arranged by Ben Patterson and addressed by Andy Simpson. 

The event was very much appreciated by all in attendance.

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Lord Adonis, Chair of the European Movement, joined us by Zoom on Saturday the 15th January 2022.  His topic was:

"The European Movement and Brexit in 2022"

At least 25 members joined the Zoom call and everyone was cheered and inspired by Lord Adonis's hopes and plans for the future of the European Movement.  He kindly took a large amount of questions from the membership.  The event was inspiring.

If you are registered to attend then we will assume that you intend to join the Zoom meeting unless you let us know otherwise - you will be contacted with details and a link before the event.

This is a unique opportunity to hear his views of the way forward for the Movement and join in an open discussion on the challenges that face the Movement as a whole and how they impact your local branch. We are keen to hear from our members what issues concern you personally regarding the European Movement and Brexit, so please let us know so that Lord Adonis can be briefed.

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For information about the movement's aims and objectives please visit the national site

The European Movement UK

To contact the local branch, write to [email protected]

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On this site, we have made available Articles, Reports and other Factual Information, such as:

        

We hope you will navigate the site and be interested in our activity

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To become a Member of the 1066 branch of the European Movement UK, it is first necessary to join the National Branch by following this link https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/- stating your postcode - which will automatically add you to our database (provided you live in either the Bexhill and Battle or Hastings and Rye Constituency). 

  • From the blog

    Yet another scathing report about the state of the United Kingdom coming from a European source was issued last week -

    .... this time from the Council of Europe, an organisation which was originally the idea of Winston Churchill. Its founding document is the Treaty of London signed in 1946 with the aim of upholding democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe post Second World War – what's not to like about that? PS the UK was one of the founding members.

    The Council of Europe reported on the UK in 2018 asking for its anti-corruption laws to be strengthened. This new report however finds that just five out of 12 recommendations issued to the UK government in 2018 had been “dealt with satisfactorily”. The Government's standards watchdog is not independent – it can only take action if the Prime Minister approves. There is no effective control on the revolving door between ex-ministers and the private sector. Matt Hancock is excused despite him owning at least 20% of a company which was awarded an NHS contract

    The UK got a rating of 42% compliance, its worst rating ever, compared with previous scores of  between 75 and 100% compliance.

    The report also picks up on the recent scandal of ex-PM David Cameron’s lobbying on behalf of Greensill Capital, where he could have benefited from millions in share profits had the company not gone bust.

    Boris Johnson has shown scant regard for honesty and transparency with serious doubts surrounding how his Downing Street flat refurb and previously his luxury Caribbean holiday were paid for.

    It certainly looks like the only people who do not see we have a serious problem with our democracy are those currently in power in this country.

    Read more

    Boris Johnson Government is woefully and clearly struggling to find any benefits from leaving the biggest free trading area in the world.

    Last week on Bloomberg, an online news site, I came across a small but mind-boggling report. It concerned Lord Frost, the unelected Conservative minister in charge of our post-Brexit affairs. Perhaps you may remember the jibes by Leavers about unelected officials dictating our future!

    Lord Frost said he was recruiting an external adviser to seek out new opportunities for our post Brexit economy. He was addressing a committee of MPs and his exact words were ‘We have high hopes of outside input into this process.’

    So here we are five years on from the Brexit referendum vote, the Boris Johnson Government is woefully and clearly struggling to find any benefits from leaving the biggest free trading area in the world.

    Stephen Hardy, Robertsbridge

    Read more

  • Contact

    Contact 1066