THE smoke has now cleared from the Scottish parliamentary elections, and equivalent votes in Wales and Northern Ireland and the English local elections. As it does, one clear landmark lies ahead, the long-time coming referendum on our membership of the European Union. While six short weeks of campaigning lie ahead, Scotland Stronger In Europe has been gearing up for months to make the positive case for Scotland at the heart of Europe.

Our campaign has been organised throughout 2016 with two key aims. To be positive and fact-based, and to steer clear of party politics in Scotland or elsewhere – learning lessons from the independence referendum, but with a specific focus on our European future. Scotland Stronger In Europe is different from previous referendum campaigns in Scotland, and different also from the Stronger In campaign south of the border.

The 2014 referendum on independence showed the galvanising effect that a key political decision can have on the voting public. However, it was also a reminder that political parties alone do not always provide the best forums for debate on an issue, like EU membership, that is close to the individual experiences and concerns of all those living in Scotland.

In that referendum, both sides stressed the importance of being in the EU. In this referendum, Scotland can come together on the Remain platform – and potentially have a decisive impact on the result UK-wide.

At the launch of our organisation in February, we convened a 50/50 gender-balanced Advisory Group in Scotland to oversee, challenge and guide the campaign. It is comprised of the best of Scottish public life, from academia and trade unions to financial services, youth leadership and the Forces. Very consciously, there are no serving politicians on board – as each party runs its own, distinctive version of an “In” campaign.

If we are to secure a Remain in the vote on June 23, and keep Scotland and the UK in the community of nations of Europe, we need to stress the positive impact that involvement in the EU has on individuals and their daily lives. Europe is not somewhere else, “over there”. Rather it contributes to all aspects of life and all levels of decision-making, where the most effective action can be taken at a continent-wide level.

Hundreds of thousands of jobs in Scotland are linked to our trade with the rest of the EU. Those in Scotland who place the economy and job market as highest priority will hear from us how the single market in goods, services, people and capital has brought a unique level of opportunity and protection to working lives. All of the populations of the 28 member states have the same level of protection under the law, with workers’ rights such as paid holiday leave, equal pay and anti-discrimination guaranteed. The alternative to staying in Europe is giving these powers to the government at Westminster.

Those who seek to learn and travel will be reminded of the opportunities to travel, study and work abroad with none of the restrictions of previous generations or other parts of the world. At the same time, universities and colleges in Scotland are deeply involved in an array of EU funded programmes which support research and innovation in all sectors. The rights of those who have finished work are protracted as well, with the freedom to retire abroad and take their pension with them.

Those in Scotland who place environmental concerns at the top of their list will hear how legislation has cleaned up Scotland’s rivers and seas, reduced air pollution, and brought the UK into agreement on ambitious climate change targets. At the same time, trading standards with the rest of the world seek to bring up environmental and social standards elsewhere. In Scotland’s countryside, the next five years will see £33 million spent on supporting farming communities and other rural development.

For those concerned with personal and national safety, we will stress the measures that states in the EU have agreed. The European Arrest Warrant has allowed us to arrest and deport criminals across previously difficult frontiers in Europe. Fundamental rights for all of the EU’s 500 million citizens are guaranteed, and expected of any country applying to join. At the same time, the EU’s development and humanitarian aid budget helps secure the lives of the world’s most vulnerable, and bring them up towards our own standard of living.

The Leave side inflates figures on costs, and ignores that for every £1 we put into the EU we get almost £10 back through increased investment, trade, jobs, growth and lower prices. That represents a good deal.

Voters in Scotland will have a very clear choice come June 23. They will have the whole range of rights and responsibilities built up over decades, or the policy void and political aspirations of Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson and George Galloway.

Scotland Stronger In Europe is confident that Scots will consider themselves to be stronger, safer and better-off in Europe. We will make every effort to win each vote for Remain. In doing so, voters in Scotland may well make the difference in keeping all of the UK’s nations and regions in Europe.