Tenth anniversary of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union: Minister for Europe's statement

Deputy Presiding Officer,

Next week historically marks the tenth anniversary of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union – which I’m sure we can all agree was one of the most consequential moments in the history of this Parliament, the peoples of our shared islands and of course the rest of Europe.

Ten years on, this Parliament must reflect with honesty, clarity and, above all, with a sense of responsibility to those whose lives have been shaped by that decision.

That vote and its aftermath has meant economic vandalism, social damage, cultural loss and a weakening of our international relationships at a time when cooperation across Europe has never been more important.

No department or issue has been unaffected from our NHS with, for example, the exit from European Medicines Agency, to agriculture and the removal of access to the Single Market to Education and the tragic loss of opportunities for our young people.

Now, to be fair MSPs got that ten years ago. This Parliament responded to an event neither of its making or its choosing in a cohesive and responsible manner across the chamber to be fair – something I know, from first hand experience was lacking at Westminster.

Scotland did not vote for this, having overwhelmingly backed EU membership in a Referendum - for the second time.

Despite that MSPs and the Scottish Government consistently offered compromise to the UK.

In 2016, a motion by my predecessor Michael Russell called for Scotland to remain inside the Single Market and that was overwhelmingly backed with support from SNP, Scottish Labour and the Greens – and to be fair the Liberal Democrats didn’t back it but did call for a second referendum.

Instead, we got the Internal Market Act – with Westminster ‘taking back control’ not just from Brussels, but also from Cardiff, Belfast and of course Edinburgh.

EU membership had empowered devolved administrations and leaving the EU left the UK more centralised than ever.

We were told that leaving the European Union would bring new opportunities – greater prosperity, more control, a stronger voice – I’m going to be generous and say those comments were, at best, incorrect.

Every sector was damaged.

For businesses leaving the EU introduced friction where there was once fluidity, barriers where there was access, and uncertainty where there was stability.

In November 2023, nearly 40% of businesses in Scotland cited leaving the EU as the main cause of difficulties trading overseas.

UK-EU trade is estimated to be about a quarter lower in the long run than if the UK had remained in the EU, with non-tariff barriers with the EU being the main driver behind this shortfall.

The agrifood sector in particular has struggled to export to the EU, leading to a substantial and sustained loss in one of our most important sectors for exporting and of course employment.

Public revenues in Scotland, and the public services that depend on them, were estimated to have lost about £3.3 billion in 2025 alone, based on research by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research.

That means that every day over £9 million is lost to public revenues in Scotland in 2025 – and the question has to be, can we really afford it anymore?

For households, the consequences have been profoundly damaging. Cost of living pressures have been exacerbated at a time when families can least afford it with a £250 increase in food and drink bills due to leaving the EU with UK households collectively having paid an extra £7 billion due to cover the extra costs of doing business outside the Single Market.

I have to say, there is a particular tragedy for our young people. Every political generation should leave more opportunity than they themselves enjoyed. That should be a basic for all of us in this chamber. We cannot say that with the removal of the freedoms to live, learn and work across the European Union. A British passport is now the most restrictive in Western Europe.

Whilst the personal and financial losses have been great, we mustn’t lose sight of security considerations just now.

Deputy Presiding Officer, we meet at a time of profound geopolitical instability. Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, shifting global alliances, threats to energy and food security – all underline the importance of strong, cooperation in Europe. The rest of Europe gets that.  

The EU is not simply an economic bloc; it is a community grounded in shared values – democracy, human rights, the rule of law, equality and freedom.

Now, leaving the EU was a bad idea ten years ago, it is a dangerous idea today. It has left the UK, and by extension Scotland, more isolated at a time when the challenges we face demand deeper partnership, not detachment.

And whilst there has been a change in ideology from the most recent UK Government, I’m afraid to say it is still tinkering.

Current efforts by the UK Government to rebuild relationships are welcome, but not enough. The UK Government’s own figures suggest that the deal currently being negotiated – and far from certain of being delivered – will add only £9 billion to the economy by 2040. 

That’s equivalent of about 0.2% of GDP.  

By contrast, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that leaving the EU reduced GDP by at least 4% – so that loss is twenty times greater.

I ask the UK Government, where’s the ambition?  Where’s the responsibility to individuals and business to reverse this damaging decision?

The Scottish Government has published a series of policy papers to set out clearly our objectives for Scotland’s relationship with the EU in key areas that affect the lives of all of us – trade, education, and energy.

The UK Government could change this but chooses not to and we all pay the price for that inaction.

Of course there is a human dimension to all of this.  

Leaving the EU has affected families who have made their lives across borders – those EU citizens who pay us the privilege of making Scotland home – and I say this to my fellow European citizens, I will continue to make the case for you every day while I’m in this job.

Every country that has joined the EU got wealthier, its sovereignty strengthened and its citizens rights enhanced. The reverse happened for the one state that left.

Leaving the EU was a backward step as Europe moves closer together – it is almost inevitable that we’re going rejoin. It is simply a question of how much damage we sustain until that moment.

So where do we go from here?

First – we will continue to press for the closest possible relationship between the UK and the EU, and I have been glad to already have discussed that with my counterpart in the UK Government, Nick Thomas-Symonds. I am grateful to him for his collaboration and conversation.

I made it clear to him that both the EU and UK have much to gain from a better relationship with the EU. Just one example is energy, where Scotland, as a massive exporter and very much part of the solution when it comes to pan-European energy security. A key concern in other European capitals.

The UK Government must make the most of the forthcoming UK-EU Summit and ensure that the negotiations deliver the fullest possible outcomes. And we have been clear to the UK Government that we seek further improvements. Although, I have to say, I am still unsure as to why the UK Government is sticking to its damaging red lines on the Single Market and the Customs Union. It’s an absolute mystery to me.

Secondly – we must ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard.  Too often, Scotland’s distinct interests and democratic choices have been sidelined. That can’t continue anymore, we know how damaging that has been.

Third – and most importantly – we must recognise that there is a limit to what can be achieved under the current constitutional framework.

The UK’s 18^th Century model of Union brought us to this place and is no longer fit for purpose. Brexit exposed its flaws.

There is an alternative partnership model, and one that is being pursued by our neighbours. A 21^st Century model of Union based on true respect and partnership between nations. That’s something the EU gets and the rest of Europe understands.

Deputy Presiding Officer, ten years on from the Brexit referendum, we owe it to the people of Scotland – particularly younger generations – to speak honestly about what has happened.

The conclusion is unavoidable: leaving the EU did not deliver what was promised. It left Scotland and the rest of the UK poorer, more isolated and less secure.

The question for us all is what we are prepared to do about it.

Now I believe that Scotland’s future lies in restoring our place at the heart of Europe. That is the challenge of the next decade – and it is one that this Parliament must meet with hope, clarity and determination.

Thank you.