Alyn Smith

Columnist

Alyn Smith is the Member of the Westminster Parliament for Stirling, elected in December 2019 with 51% of the vote. Born in Glasgow in 1973, Alyn grew up in Scotland and Saudi Arabia, returning to Scotland in 1986. With a background in commercial law and European studies, he was a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland from 2004-2019. Alyn has a keen interest in European politics, rural affairs, energy policy and animals - currently serving as the honorary vice-president of the Scottish SPCA.

Alyn Smith is the Member of the Westminster Parliament for Stirling, elected in December 2019 with 51% of the vote. Born in Glasgow in 1973, Alyn grew up in Scotland and Saudi Arabia, returning to Scotland in 1986. With a background in commercial law and European studies, he was a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland from 2004-2019. Alyn has a keen interest in European politics, rural affairs, energy policy and animals - currently serving as the honorary vice-president of the Scottish SPCA.

Latest articles from Alyn Smith

Inside the EU we were a constructive voice working alongside our fellow Europeans, writes Alyn Smith

COMMENT Alyn Smith: This weekend's conference shows need for European solidarity

I REGULARLY write in this paper about European issues and why they matter to Scotland and the independence movement. Having spent 16 years as an MEP as well as having studied in the EU, I can quite rightfully be accused of some bias towards it – one though which is certainly rooted in the benefits of what EU membership meant for Scotland!

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Georgia's EU dream is a reflection of Scotland, writes Alyn Smith

COMMENT Alyn Smith: Georgia’s EU dream is a reflection of our own

THERE are many countries that aspire to European Union membership – and recent events in Georgia show the value that many place on it from Edinburgh to Tbilisi.

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It has been 25 years since the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament on May 12, 1999

Comment Alyn Smith: Major milestones remind us of our European goal

THIS week marks not one but two significant anniversaries for us in the independence movement. Both give a reminder that even whilst we reflect on the past, we have a brighter future to look forward to ...

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With safe, legal routes to the UK, fewer people will want to risk illegal and dangerous Channel crossings that too often have ended up in rescue – or tragedy

COMMENT Alyn Smith: Tackling gangs is best done with legal routes – not 'stop the boats'

Down at Westminster, the SNP MPs continue to work hard standing up for the interests of the people of Scotland

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Detail of a banner held by anti-arms trade activists during a demonstration outside the annual black-tie dinner of the Aerospace, Defence and Security Group at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London

COMMENT UK arms sales scrutiny is weak. Here's how an independent Scotland could do better

ARMS exports are a controversial area and one in which the UK consistently fails to scrutinise effectively. An independent Scotland can choose a different path.

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Delegates attend the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on the second day of the NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting on April 04, 2024

COMMENT Alyn Smith: Scotland cannot afford to be naive when it comes to defence funding

AS the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) celebrates its

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Pro-EU campaigners during a 'Missing EU Already' rally outside the Scottish Parliament

COMMENT Alyn Smith: There are big changes coming to the EU

AN independent Scotland’s membership of the EU will put rocket boosters on our economy, instead of being hamstrung by the UK’s stagnating decline.

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Stock image of fishing boats seen tied up at Tarbert Harbour in Scotland

COMMENT Even before Brexit, the UK never put Scottish fishers and farmers first

SCOTLAND’S agriculture and fisheries sectors play a vital role in our rural and coastal communities, and a wider role in giving us our sense of what Scotland is all about – getting back into the European Union will go a long way to reverse the damage that successive UK governments have inflicted on them.

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A view of European Union (EU) flags being hung on the streets as negotiations between EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the country's EU membership start

COMMENT Alyn Smith: The nations pointing the way for independent Scotland on EU membership

A BIG part of the next EU mandate after the June elections will involve the accession of several countries that are along its borders. Their experiences offer lessons for us in the independence movement but also show that we are in a much better position to accede. In fact,

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comment Alyn Smith: Could Scotland pick and choose its access to the single market? No

LAST week saw the European Union adopt its mandate for negotiations with Switzerland “to modernise and deepen bilateral relations” – and offers a telling insight into what it is like trying to keep the perks of the EU club without paying the membership fee.

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