Sturgeon To Make Case For EU 'With Changes'

Nicola Sturgeon says the Scottish Government will make the "positive case" for the Scotland staying in the EU.

In her first EU address as First Minister later, she is expected to say that continued membership is vital to the Scottish economy and that positive changes can be made from within the existing treaty. 

The SNP leader will call for:

• More local decision making on health and social policies to allow countries to target key issues; 
• Greater focus on key areas such as developing the single market across the EU in Energy and Digital Services;
• Allowing localised discretion in implementing regulation – as in the revised Common Fisheries Policy – to make policies more proportionate and less burdensome. 

Ms Sturgeon is due to say her party sees the European Union as "a positive force" for Scotland and the UK, and is urging David Cameron's government to give people something to vote for, instead of arguing against the risks of change.

“As part of that, the Scottish Government will contribute positively to discussions on reform of the European Union. Sensible proposals for change stand a real chance of commanding acceptance.

“We don't believe that reforms require treaty change. They can be implemented within the existing Treaty framework. And we believe that reforms should address two priorities. The first is straightforward. The EU should focus on areas where joint working and co-operation will make a tangible difference to the lives of its citizens. 

The First Minister will ask for reform on public health, such as giving member states the autonomoy to tackle what she calls "pressing problems".

“Public health is a relevant example for Scotland and for other countries. Some years ago, the Scottish Parliament voted to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol, to tackle alcohol harm in our society. Our ability to do that has been challenged, and is currently being considered by Scottish courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Ms Sturgeon added.

“We know from their support for our case that many other Member States support us. My view is that the Commission and EU policy should recognise that. They should give a higher priority to enabling Member States to take the decisions they deem necessary to protect life and promote health. 

Ms Sturgeon will also recommend changes to regulation: 

“To give an example of this, Scotland has contributed to the reforms which were agreed last year to the Common Fisheries Policy. They involve changes to allow more decisions to be made at a regional sea basin level rather than an EU level – something which will make regulations more proportionate, and less burdensome for the industry. 

“Regulations should be based on the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. Better regulation will contribute to economic growth. And by doing so, it will help to restore public trust in the decisions made by European institutions.

And the First Minister will also call on the UK Government to set out their proposals: 

“Some UK Government rhetoric creates the impression that EU membership isn’t beneficial at present – it will only become beneficial if we achieve big enough reforms. That approach makes it harder to articulate the benefits we gain from membership. There’s a danger the UK will focus the debate on the size of the reforms achieved, rather than the bigger picture of the value and importance of the EU. 

“If the UK Government wants us to remain in the EU, it should give people something to vote for. Instead of just arguing against the risks of change, it should promote the EU’s achievements. If it fails to do that, then even if it wins the vote, it may not resolve the issue.”