OPPONENTS in the independence referendum have come together to defend the UK’s place in the European Union in a debate held in memory of Charles Kennedy.
Former Better Together leader Alistair Darling and Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop joined forces to make the case for continued membership of the EU in a University of Glasgow event commemorating the former Liberal Democrat leader, who died in June aged 55.
He was a former student and rector at the university and was renowned for his debating skills. As part of a series of events set up to recognise his contribution to university life, the Charles Kennedy Memorial Debate was established.
The motion debated was “this House believes that the UK should remain within the European Union” with politicians and activists arguing the motion.
Former Chancellor Mr Darling, Ms Hyslop, Scottish Conservative MEP Ian Duncan and Liberal Democrat MSP candidate Alex Cole-Hamilton defended the UK’s place in the EU, while Labour MP Graham Stringer, John Mills, the founder and chairman of JML and co-chairman of Business for Britain, and political activist Heather Whiteside argued to leave.
The debate was chaired by Sir Menzies Campbell who said of the event: “Those who knew Charles will know this is the proposition he will have had in his heart.
“It is right that that we should celebrate his life in this chamber where he honed his skills as a debater and a parliamentarian.”
Scottish Government Minister Ms Hyslop started the debate and she raised laughs in the debating chamber when she mistakenly said “we have to remain part of the UK” before quickly correcting herself to say EU. She added: “As the minister who abolished tuition fees I am not only in favour of free education but free movement across the EU.”
The judging panel included former Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell, former LibDem minister Jo Swinson and Glasgow University principal Anton Muscatelli.
Mr Darling was last to speak in the debate, arguing that: “You can make criticisms of the EU but it was born to build dialogue and avoid conflict – let’s remember that. Let’s try to put things right rather than walk away.”
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