Insights from Our Study Visit to the European Parliament on Scotland, Brexit, and the Future of EU Relations

In the years since the Brexit referendum, the world has entered a new, more complex chapter. For many across Europe, the debate is no longer just about what the withdrawal itself meant, but about what comes next. Could parts of the UK — such as Scotland or Wales — one day rejoin the EU? What role can self-determination play in shaping Europe’s future? could the EU fast track agreements with Scotland or other parts of the UK that voted remain if they would find the consensus to pursue this path? These were the questions at the heart of our recent study visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, an initiative between Yes For EU and Coppieters Foundation in the framework of a joint project to debate post-Brexit alliances.

The visit brought together a group of civil society representatives and Members of the European Parliament at the time of Brexit with leading political figures engaged in shaping the EU’s future. We were welcomed by Members of the European Parliament from Scotland who had represented the European Free Alliance (EFA), and met with Diana Riba, President of the European Free Alliance, Vicen Marzà, Vice-President of the EFA, Representatives from Volt Europe, a pan-European political movement and Thomas Waitz, Member of the European Parliament for the Greens/EFA Group.

These meetings provided first-hand insights into the current thinking in Brussels on the post-Brexit political landscape and on the prospects for rebuilding closer ties.

Across all conversations, several themes emerged. First, Brexit’s consequences remain deeply felt — economically, politically, and socially — on both sides. The consensus was that while relations between the UK and EU are more stable since the initial withdrawal period, significant political and public will would be required to reverse or modify the current settlement.

Second, Scotland’s European aspirations continue to be a matter of active political interest. Our interlocutors noted that in the event of Scotland achieving independence, a pathway back into the EU could be negotiated, provided democratic processes and accession criteria were respected. Similarly, discussions touched on Wales’s pro-European sentiment and the broader question of how the EU could welcome new members from regions that choose a different path from their current state.

Another recurring point was the principle of self-determination — the right of peoples to decide their own political future. Pro-European sentiment connects this issue with aone of the pillars of democracy, fully aligned with the EU’s commitment to human rights, pluralism, and participatory governance. Welcoming Scotland or Wales into the EU would not only respect their democratic choice but also strengthen the European project by bringing in societies already deeply connected to European culture, values, and institutions.

Voices:

During our visit, we recorded a series of interviews with  Members of the European Parliament and other actors from different parties in the political spectrum. These conversations explore the political, legal, and societal dimensions of rejoining the EU. While perspectives varied, there was a clear openness to the idea of future enlargement that responds to democratic aspirations and an acknowledgment that Scotland and Wales bring unique strengths to the European family.

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This is a joint project between Coppieters foundation and the Yes for EU initiative.

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Coppieters Foundation receives financial support from the European Parliament. The sole liability rests with the author(s). The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained, content of the event nor for the opinions of the speakers.

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