Scots will head to the polls on 4 June 2009 to elect their six—formerly seven—representatives in the European Parliament. Despite typically attracting a small proportion of the electorate, the parliament in Brussels has the power to ratify and amend legislation and regulations being implemented the UK, so influencing around 70 per cent of legislation being written into the statute books of Westminster and Holyrood.

Prof. Drew Scott of the Europa Institute in Edinburgh explains why it is so difficult to see Scotland’s role within the EU: “We just don’t know how well Scotland is represented within the UK and in Brussels,” Professor Drew Scott of the Europa Institute in Edinburgh explains why it is so difficult to see Scotland’s role within the EU.

“I suspect that over 90 per cent of the policies are consensually met between Holyrood and Westminster, but these discussions are confidential,” he tells The Journal. But Scott knows that “there were some differences in the past on GM food, environment policy and fishing.”

In his eyes, the EU is economically important for the UK and Scotland. He points to a small "CE" sticker attached to his PC screen and explains that “this one sticker says that this product is safe to sell and buy in 27 countries.” That is why Scott argues for the UK to become a member of the Euro currency. “We need to establish ourselves as Europeans,” he says.

In previous European elections the voter turnout has languished at around 30 percent in Scotland, compared to around 50 percent at national elections. Scott blames the failure of the British government: “It was a failure of leadership that dates back to Thatcher,” he states. 

To shine light onto the confusion of why and how we vote and more importantly who is standing for election, The Journal contacted the various parties to find out: What do they want to achieve within the next term, what they did achieve within the last term and whether the EU help the current economic crisis and how? And where do they see Scotland’s future role within the EU?

A committed internationalist: "I am Scottish, I am British, I am European,“ says Catherine Stihler, MEP, Scottish Labour Party (2nd on the list)

Catherine Stihler was elected in 1999. In the past, her political work in Brussels helped to get the ferry between Rosyth and Zeebrugge (Belgium) up and running again, and to get bigger anti-smoking labels on cigarette packages. “That was a big achievement for me,” she says. 

“Europe, by working together, can help us getting through this financial crisis and also help us deal with climate change,” Stihler emphasises.

Being a Labour politician she thinks it is important for Scots to vote so that they have people in Brussels who put them first on their agenda.

But devolution is “a big opponent,” she says. “I believe that our strength is within the UK and I hope that we will remain there."

Stihler criticises the current tensions over devolution as not helping within times of an economic crisis: "I think that is very worrying where independence for Scotland is more important than trying to find people jobs at the time of an economic crisis. The financial crisis needs European solutions," Stihler argues. Nationalism would make people more insular and in her eyes, people should be more outward looking.

“27 countries have come together, working together; like any family there are problems but, in the end, it is 27 countries that have come together – and not in terms of war,” she says. “That is why the EU exists, because we could not allow nations to fight one another again; because we have to work together."

Scotland is better off being independent, says Alyn Smith, MEP Scottish Nationalist Party (2nd on list)

Alyn Smith was elected in 2004 to Brussels and is currently the youngest Scottish MEP. As a member of the agricultural committee he has been working, in his eyes, on some "pretty crunching issues."

"I am particularly proud of the part I played in the fight against sub-standard Brazilian Beef imports to the EU, which was a massive issue for Scottish farmers," he tells The Journal. He also mentions how much EU funding helps Scotland to tackle climate change with energy projects in the North Sea.

Smith additionally campaigned for a Scottish entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, “perhaps not the most serious issue ever, but any showcase for Scottish talent has to be a good thing.“ You might also meet Smith on his work experience programme in summer where he was a vet in Shetland or worked as a fisherman on a trawler. "I’ll get my hands dirty to master my brief," he promises.

Smith is critical of an EU approach towards solving the financial crisis – speaking just a day before the Council in Brussels decided on a €130bn rescue package. He wishes the EU would only coordinate the money transfers.

He has a completely different view of Scotland’s future role within the EU, emphasising that is an independent country. "Our government in Scotland looks like, acts like and to all intents and purposes is a member state government. It is the UK speaking for us and that looks odd.“ Smith adds that Denmark, Ireland, Sweden or Finland would be like-minded and could be future allies to an independent Scotland.

No more bent banana rows says Belinda Don, running for MEP, Scottish Conservatives (2nd on list)

Belinda Don names two issues which would be important in her candidacy, namely to work together to improve things and to lessen "legislation, micromanaging every aspect of our lives from how long we can work to whether we eat bent or straight bananas."

Don opposes the EU constitution and wants to campaign for a British Referendum should there be a Treaty within the next term.

The EU can help Scotland and the UK within the financial crisis “by not putting in protectionist policies which may have short term appeal, but will lengthen and deepen the world recession," she says.

"I see Scotland as part of the UK leading the way with its long tradition of valuing education and entrepreneurship to develop policies which make the EU more business friendly, which will create jobs and prosperity for all its citizens," Don explains. 

“The EU is Scotland’s best bet”, says George Lyon, running for MEP, Scottish Liberal Democrats (1st on the list)

It is Lyon’s aim “to make Scotland stronger by using Europe and not dismissing it.” He tells The Journal that the EU is needed to face the economic crisis, climate change, the rising crime and the threat of terrorism. At the same time, Lyon wants to support Scotland in the EU. “Liberal Democrats will make sure we have a practical plan that supports Scottish business and cuts the cost of living”, Lyon says.

Scotland’s future role in the EU would be as a part of the UK. “Liberal Democrats will convince people that, whether it is in the UK or in Europe, we are stronger together and poorer apart,” Lyon says.

The future is green, says Elaine Morrison, Scottish Green Party, (1st on the list)

Morrison agrees that Scotland needs the EU and vice-versa, mainly to ensure a stronger voice at global climate summits.

A green economy is also crucial in Europe, according to Morrison. “This means stimulating things we need – green energy, insulation, education and jobs, while recognising that this green growth is not the same as crude GDP growth, which includes financial speculation, illness, and population," she tells The Journal.

“It also means that we should reclaim our economy. The government should not have allowed bankers to gamble away people’s investments," Morrison says. She is convinced that by voting Green, “Scotland can play its role in making a better global future.”

“Make June 4th the British Independence Day”, says a MEP of the UK Independence Party on a vodcast

The UKIP decided not to respond or comment.

Leave Tommy Sheridan’s seat in Brussels and Strasbourg empty, says the No2EU – Yes to Democracy alliance

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) created a nation-wide electoral alliance, combining the socialist and communist parties, the Morning Star newspaper and the Indian workers' association to represent the British working class without fostering racism in the manner of the BNP. Tommy Sheridan will be second on the list for Scotland, behind history professor John Foster.

If elected, all of the No2EU candidates will refuse to take up their parliamentary seats.

Colin Fox, national cospokesperson of the Scottish Socialist Party wants to make the current financial crisis the centre of the European agenda

He told The Journal: "The European Parliament Elections on 4 June will be dominated by one issue above all others, the worst economic collapse in 70 years and its brutal consequences for working people.

"In Britain it will be the first chance people have to register their fury at the reckless, greedy, banking elite and their equally incompetent political spokesmen who have gotten us into this mess. It will be in effect a referendum on Gordon Brown's premiership."