THURSDAY’S European Parliament elections come at a time when the country is supposed to have left the EU. It’s no wonder then that, after two and a half years of gridlock, meaningless votes and failed negotiations, the European poll is being fought on the Brexit battleground.
READ MORE: EU election: A list of every candidate in Scotland standing for MEP
But which parties are running in Scotland and what do they stand for?
SNP
The SNP is running on a stop Brexit platform and has previously put forward a Norway-style option which would see the UK retain single market membership. The party has backed a People’s Vote on any future Brexit deal which, they say, should include a remain option. The SNP have grown increasingly frustrated after being sidelined from Brexit discussions between the two main UK Parties.
Conservatives
Initially, Theresa May was adamant that we would not be taking part in these elections. But, as if often the case, the opposite of what Theresa May said came true. The Tories did not publish an election manifesto but the Government’s position is that there shouldn’t be a second referendum on Brexit. For two and a half years now, May has had one policy: Brexit. She has repeatedly failed to implement it and now just about every Tory you could name is preparing a bid to replace her.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the bid to replace Theresa May as PM?
Labour
Labour recently held discussions with the Conservatives over Brexit and, predictably, they could not reach agreement. The dispute appears to be over workers’ rights, with Labour believing that staying in the single market and customs union permanently is the best way to protect those. Labour also back a “public vote” on any future Brexit deal brought forward by May, though they have refused to say they would do the same were they to form a government and put forward such a deal.
LibDems
The tenant pledge of the LibDem manifesto is to hold a second referendum on Brexit. They have positioned themselves as the party to stop Brexit and strongly believes the UK should stay in EU. The LibDems had a very poor outing at the last European Parliament elections but were given hope by their recent gains in the English local council elections.
Greens
Another party which wishes to remain in the EU, and hold a second referendum, but the Greens are also highlighting a list of other issues, such as public transport, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and, of course, climate change.
Brexit Party
Nigel Farage used a single-issue party to his advantage in Ukip, now he has started another one in the Brexit Party. And if recent polling is anything to goby, they are set to cause earthquakes across the political landscape. Farage is hoping a strong showing on Thursday will send a clear message to MPs, who he thinks have failed the country on Brexit, and has demanded a seat at the negotiating table should his party emerge victorious. The party’s election funding is now being reviewed.
READ MORE: Election watchdog to 'review' Brexit Party funding
Ukip
Ukip have become more and more of an irrelevance since the UK voted to leave the EU. Multiple leaders, many shamed, have come and gone and now the party has attempted to refresh itself by scouring YouTube for alt-right influencers. Unsurprisingly, the party wants the country to fully leave the EU, doesn’t even want to entertain the idea of a second vote and believes MPs have betrayed the country with the way they have handled Brexit.
Change UK
Change UK have a different name from the initial splinter group which spawned it. They have also been involved in two racism scandals in their short existence so far, and after seeing their main list candidate leave due to his comments, his replacement as the party’s first choice, Mark Macdoanld, has now also left and told voters to not put an X next to Change UK on the ballot paper. The party also doesn’t have a logo going into this election after the one they submitted was banned due to breaking guidelines.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel