10 March 2014

'Scotland and the EU: why should we care?'

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch are among the panel members who will be examining Scotland's future relationship with the European Union at the University of Dundee this Wednesday.

The question of whether Scotland would automatically retain membership of the EU in the event of independence has proved to be one of the most hotly contested issues of the referendum debate so far. In addition, there is the prospect of the UK offering voters an in-out plebiscite on membership if the Conservatives achieve a majority in 2017.

With the anti-Brussels UK Independence Party establishing a toe-hold in mainstream politics, and a question mark over the constitutional future of Scotland, arguments about the merits or otherwise of Britain remaining as part of the EU are likely to continue to rage in coming years.

Students, staff and members of the public will have the chance to have their say and put their questions to the panel at the 'Scotland and the EU: why should we care?' event organised by the European Movement in Scotland in conjunction with the University's Five Million Questions initiative, Diplomats@Dundee Society and the Politics and International Relations programme.

Christian Kaunert, Professor of International Politics at Dundee, and Dominick Younger, President of Diplomats@Dundee, will also sit on the panel, while the debate will be chaired by Professor John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde.

The University launched the Five Million Questions project to examine the issues surrounding the biggest event in Scotland for over 300 years. Every aspect of Scottish life stands to be impacted upon by the result of the 2014 referendum, and everyone has a question about how the decision will affect them and the future of the country.

The public debate to this stage has been both highly technical and overtly party political. Five Million Questions aims to stimulate wider debate, apply academic rigour to examination of the issues, and engage with the public on all aspects of the major questions they are facing.

'Scotland and the EU: why should we care?' takes place at the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building at 7pm on Wednesday, 12th March.

The free event is open to all members of the public. More information is available from EMiSQuestionTime@gmail.com or 01382 381296.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277