MEP urges colleagues to take more time on Brexit

Alyn Smith is President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament

Scottish MEP Alyn Smith has urged colleagues not to rush through ratification of any Brexit deal with undue haste. Mr Smith was speaking in the European Parliament's debate on the outcomes of last Thursday and Friday's European Council which agreed a withdrawal agreement between the UK Go...

Catalan leaders' sentences a 'travesty of justice'

Press Release from Alyn Smith MEP (SNP), President of the EFA Group in the EP

Responding to today's verdict in the trial of Catalan pro-independence leaders which saw them receive sentences of between 9 and 13 years imprisonment, Alyn Smith, SNP MEP and President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament described the sentences as 'a travesty of justice which will o...

MEPs joint declaration condemns Turkish military intervention in Syria

Sixty MEPs condemn Turkish military intervention in Syria

Sixty MEPs from different political groups in the European Parliament – including Greens/EFA - have come together to co-sign a political declaration that condemns Turkey's military intervention in Syria. They call upon the EU to impose sanctions against Turkey and to tackle the humanita...

UK Supreme Court Rules Westminster Shut Down Unlawful

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP Member of the European Parliament Alyn Smith has said the Parliament must resume immediately after the UK Supreme Court ruled Boris Johnson’s decision to shut down Parliament was unlawful and unconstitutional upholding the ruling of Scotland’s supreme court. Alyn Smith said: &q...

Greens/EFA demand urgent action on climate

Global climate strike

We need fast action now. CO2 must have a fair price. We urge the new European Commission to make climate priority a reality and increase our CO2-reduction target from the weak 40 per cent to at least 65 per cent by 2030. It is also unacceptable for aircraft and ships to not pay the price and to benefit from tax subsidies.

MEPs to establish Kurdish Friendship Group

Support for fundamental rights from across the political spectrum

Around a dozen MEPs from a variety of political groups have met at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to agree the establishment of a Kurdish Friendship Group. The aim is to provide a forum of support and discussion for issues of concern relating to the Kurdish people. It is anticipated that t...

UK MEPs sign joint declaration on Brexit

Cross party declaration commits to working together in the face of Brexit

The proroguing, or shutting down the UK Parliament in order to limit scrutiny of the implications of a potential no deal Brexit is completely unacceptable. The signatories commit themselves to continue to work across party lines and declare that it is vital that MPs do likewise.

The French citizen representing Scotland in Europe

EFA MEP Christian Allard defends Scotland's attachment to Europe

Scottish MEP Christian Allard is a 'newly elected representative unlike any other.' Born in Dijon, Christian Allard has lived in Scotland for over thirty years where he has worked extensively in the fishing and seafood industries. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in 2013 a...

Catalan MEPs should be allowed to take their seats

Support from EFA MEPs for taking up their mandates

On the first day of the new parliamentary term, EFA MEPs supported the right of Catalan MEPs to take their seats in the European Parliament. More than 10,000 people gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside the European Parliament. They called for Catalans elected at the recent European electi...

SNP MEP elected President of EFA Group in the European Parliament

Alyn Smith succeeds Josep-Maria Terricabras

Alyn Smith MEP has today been elected President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament. He succeeds Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras who stood down at the recent European election. An MEP for the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2004, Alyn was recently re-el...