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Beyond the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns, what I found fascinating about last week’s Scottish referendum was that it dealt with issues that are crucial to our lives, even if we have never set foot on the Highlands. It has also indirectly questioned how policies are made in the European Union.

What is at the core of our political choice? Wouldn’t you want to be able to decide who takes decisions on your behalf, on the wealth produced on your territory and its redistribution, on the access and quality of hospital, schools, universities, and the childcare services you want? I certainly would want to, and 84,5% of  those who turned out at the polling stations last Thursday wanted to as well. I can only thank the people of Scotland for bringing these key issues to the forefront of political debate. They also raised two core issues for European Union leaders: 

•    Who will decide for us? The first two reasons listed in Independent Scotland’s ‘Ten reasons to vote yes for an independent Scotland’ call for a transfer of all powers to Edinburgh. The fact that the ‘no’ campaign won the referendum does not put a stop to concerns raised in the EU’s headquarters. There are at least two other regions – Catalonia and Flanders – on the road towards independence. My take is that the most pressing question is not necessarily where decisions will be taken, but more how they will they be taken. As Social Platform, we call on the EU to ensure the meaningful involvement of associations representing those most excluded from the decision making process. This alone will not be enough to fully address the concerns of those who want localised power, but at least it is a step towards a more open governing process in Brussels; a process that must be reformed if we are to halt the rise of euro scepticism. 

•    How can the EU become more central to the lives of the people living within its borders? The ‘yes’ campaign included in its top ten reasons for independence the following: access to wealth so as to be better off financially, creating better healthcare, improving the situation of pensioners and reducing inequality with more equal wages. I believe that these are core issues – especially when we are challenged by the social consequences of the crisis – and the European Union cannot hide behind its lack of competences as an excuse not to prioritise them. When will inequality, fair wages and access to quality services be put on top of the priority list, instead of competitiveness and growth as is the case at the moment? We know that the EU treaty ensures that this shift can be done; it is simply a question of political will. 

Instead of exhaling with relief because the ‘no’ campaign won the referendum, I invite the EU to start working on improving its democratic processes beyond the European Parliament and to involve people who want to have a say on the policies that concern them. It must also reassess its priorities. Like the Scots, we come with proposals: a social floor that guaranties a dignified life for all, a European strategy for human rights, the protection of quality services for all, and economic policies at the service of social priorities.   

I think that in doing so the EU can hope to see a voting rate of 84,5% like in Scotland, rather than turnouts like 42,54%  as we saw at the Parliament elections in May. 

We have proposals, and we shall not wait for Bravehearts to get them done.

Let’s engage!

Pierre Baussand, Director