Together we have forged a strong and committed grassroots campaigning organisation, one of the most prominent in the UK. Bath for Europe is a non-party-aligned community group affiliated with the European Movement. We believe that Brexit is a profound national mistake, and campaign for the UK to retain strong ties with the European Union, with the aim of rejoining in the future. Help us call out this disastrous Government on its many failings and stand with us to call for improved international cooperation.
We are active on Twitter and Facebook and have a programme of events including talks (normally on Zoom) and meetings (in a local park in good weather otherwise on Zoom). All are welcome to attend.
Europe is no longer a dirty word
It’s now 4 years since the UK left the EU. Much damage has been done and will continue especially after the introduction of further Brexit border controls. But there are signs of hope. As Emma Knaggs, Deputy CEO of the UK European Movement and our Chair, has argued in The New European, Europe is no longer a dirty word and reconciliation is getting closer: “politicians are beginning to catch up with the widely accepted notion that we desperately need to repair our relations with the European Union. Over the past 12 months, substantive progress has been made”
The Windsor Framework for Northern Ireland’s trading and governance arrangements and rejoining the EU’s Horizon research programme are two distinctive signs of progress. We can also add that last year the government said that UK industry can continue using the European CE conformity standard mark and quietly dropped the requirement to use the new UK CA mark. They also quietly dropped the proposal to go back to imperial weights and measures after most respondents to a government survey of over 100,000 people and organisations rejected the idea, though they did loudly say that wine could be sold in pint bottles should anyone wish to do so.
Emma concluded that “While there are still many politicians that speak about ‘Brexit benefits’, and some who fail to discuss the issue at all, it’s promising to see that amongst some key players the tone is finally shifting from ‘let’s go it alone’ to ‘let’s be firm friends’. Our leaders must now match their words with actions. Crucially, those who lead the next government must prioritise the rebuilding of our relationship with Europe.”
National Rejoin March
A full coach and many others from Bath attended the second National Rejoin March in London on Saturday September 23rd 2023. Tens of thousands from all over the UK marched through London to Parliament to demand the UK rejoins the EU. A third National Rejoin March is expected in Autumn 2024.
Other recent events have included a talk by Dr Milena Romano, Lecturer in European Politics from the University of Bath, on the topic of ‘Europe Today, Society, Challenges and Questions‘ at Widcombe Social Club in September, Georgian themed Day for Rejoin in front of the Royal Crescent on Saturday 25th March 2023.
Bath for Europe 