Could the SNP do more to champion Scotland's place in Europe?

As part of the group’s work, it set up an informal “yes” or “no” poll on whether or not SNP members feel the party is doing enough to champion Scotland’s place in Europe.

Other questions asked include whether the Scottish Government should have a dedicated minister for Europe, and whether there should be more of an effort to return to an Erasmus-style programme.

Speaking to the Sunday National, the group’s national co-ordinator David McDonald said: “Over the last couple of days, it’s been a mixed response. On Friday, there was a strong feeling the SNP weren’t doing enough to champion Scotland’s place in Europe.

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“I guess I can caveat that [historically] people recognise the SNP have been a champion for Scotland in Europe, but maybe in the last couple of years it’s not been as high up the agenda that we as a pro-European organisation would like it to be.”

It comes after Graeme Dey recently pledged to push the Labour government at Westminster for the UK to join the Erasmus plus exchange programme which helps support education, training, youth and sport across Europe.

The Scottish Government had previously pledged to do this although a similar scheme is yet to materialise.

In Wales, the government set up its own learning exchange programme in the form of the Taith scheme.

(Image: NQ)

“Scotland seems like it’s being left behind slightly and young people are missing out. We know that Scotland was one of the biggest participants in Erasmus,” McDonald said.

“It’s not just about university students, it’s about schools, it’s about teachers and youth clubs and groups.

“I know in my own area in Glasgow, a lot of sports clubs had life-changing opportunities through Erasmus and the Government has spoken a lot about pilot schemes and testing but not delivered anything like what we think is a suitable replacement for Erasmus.”

It was also recently reported that plans to expand the Scottish Government’s overseas offices in Europe are on hold as ministers prepare for spending cuts.

Nicola Sturgeon’s administration had promised to open new headquarters in Copenhagen and Warsaw to promote Scotland overseas.

However, while the Copenhagen office opened in 2022, the Warsaw plan has been put “under review”.

Currently, Angus Robertson is responsible for relations with Europe and the European Union although Kaukab Stewart previously held the role of minister for culture, Europe and international development.

“We know finances in government are tight and there might not be funds for ministers in various roles but it comes back to asking if they’re de-prioritising Europe by not having that dedicated role,” McDonald added.

“We felt it was a backwards step to not have that role for championing Europe.”

Alyn Smith reaction

THE Sunday National also spoke with former MP and MEP Alyn Smith (below), who said he felt it was “fair” to say the SNP could do more to champion links with Europe but that it’s important to be honest with people about the “limits of devolution”.

Asked specifically about the need for a dedicated minister for Europe, Smith commented: “I’m agnostic on that, I don’t think changing personnel in that way would make a difference. There’s a need for the wider Yes movement to tap into international networks. Yes for EU is a great bunch of folks for example.

“The Yes movement needs to step up as well, the devolved government can’t do everything – it’s up to us to sell ourselves.”

Smith added: “Countries don’t have friends, they have interests. If you have those sort of things, it’s not just about saying, ‘hello, love us’.

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“It’s about saying here’s what we’re doing on hydrogen, on education and that we want to get back into Erasmus.

“There needs to be talk about that and discussion on why we’re interested in continuing that relationship.”