[Issued on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council] Rifkind urges Europe to look to UK for way ahead
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, will point to the evolution of the United Kingdom as providing lessons for the new Europe during a lecture at the University of Aberdeen tonight (Wednesday, 26 November).
A capacity audience of more than 200 will hear the former politician reflect on Scotland's history and the current European debate which, he claims, is not entirely unlike the way in which the United Kingdom itself has evolved over the last 400 years. The lecture forms part of the University's Talking Scots series.
Sir Malcolm believes that, in shaping the future of the European Union, we should look to the gradual evolution, emergence and maturity of the United Kingdom.
He will tell the audience: "…the case for the United Kingdom must not just be expressed in material terms of pounds and pence. Of course, the disintegration of Britain would be destructive to employment, to prosperity, and to business confidence. That must be emphasised with vigour and with clarity, but it is only part of the argument."
He will say that the United Kingdom is not just about prosperity, jobs and investment, but is the realisation of an ideal.
"The United Kingdom has been seen throughout the world as a model of tolerance, of liberty and of the rule of law. We have built a society which has a longer record of freedom under the law than any other in the world. This is of enormous importance to Europe at this moment in its history."
The sell-out talk begins at King's College Centre at 7pm. Murray Tosh MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, will chair the event.
The Talking Scots 2003 lecture series will continue during November with journalist and broadcaster Joyce McMillan examining the media's role in delivering Scotland's messages (December 3).