29 February 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today set out the positives of EU membership for both Scotland and the UK.

Speaking to an audience of around 700 people at St John’s Smith Square, the First Minister spoke about how Scotland and the UK should seek to reform the European Union from the inside rather than be a voice outwith.

The First Minister said:

The Scottish Government believes that EU membership is in the best interests of Scotland. As such the Scottish Government will make a positive, constructive case for remaining in the EU. I believe that we benefit from being part of the EU, and the EU benefits from having us a part of it.

For more than 40 years, membership of the European Union has been good for the prosperity and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities across the country.

I want the vote on 23 June to result in an overwhelming victory, across all parts of the UK, for remaining in the European Union. I will campaign wholeheartedly to achieve that result. And although my main role will obviously be to campaign in Scotland, many of the points I’ll be making are of course also relevant to the debate across the UK.”

Read her full speech here.

Following her speech the First Minister was interviewed by network news channels.

FM @NicolaSturgeon talking about benefits of EU membership with @itvnews political editor @Peston. #euref pic.twitter.com/SyqQBrcMzq

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) February 29, 2016