“The diplomatic debacle by the British government during last week’s European Council will have grave consequences for Britain’s role in the European Union. It is now up to pro-European forces in the UK to show that Britain still is a strong partner in the EU“, said the President of the European Movement International, Jo Leinen.

The Anti-Europeans that have pushed PM Cameron to its decision only represent part of the public opinion. There is still a strong pro-European momentum in Great Britain. The European Movement International welcomes the efforts of the European Movement UK and encourages it to further strengthen its network of pro-European forces.

“Great Britain has a long lasting pro-European history, Winston Churchill and Harold MacMillan both being co-founders of the European Movement International. We need to reconnect the discussions on the Future of Europe happening in Britain with those taking place on the continent“, said Leinen.

“We need to push for a strong mobilisation of pro-European stakeholders and decision-makers in Britain to promote the European idea“, said Leinen.

[ENDS]

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International is the oldest and largest pro-European NGO. It was created in 1948 by Winston Churchill, Francois Mitterrand, Paul-Henri Spaak and Altiero Spinelli, among others and now counts over 70 member organisations in more than 40 European countries.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 85, email: communication(at)europeanmovement.eu