European Conversations Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:13:28 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426330 en-gb © 2026 European Conversations yes fd14d128-704d-5243-8280-03fac243a973 European Movement in Scotland episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Scotland, EU, European Union, Brexit, Europe, Politics European Movement in Scotland https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ypgt2mofgdlxexg8k0y64lyn41un?.jpg European Conversations The Future of Wales The Future of Wales The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales reported in January 2024. The Commission had both independent experts and party political nominees on it, produced a unanimous report, and found that the three main constitutional options they focused on - enhanced devolution, a federal UK and an independent Wales - were all viable (each with their own strengths and challenges). In this new podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Dr Anwen Elias, Reader in politics at the University of Aberystwyth and an expert member of the Commission about the findings of the Commission and too its relevance to Scotland - and where the EU and Brexit fit in to the debate.

The podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes' substack Europe and Scotland https://kirstyhughes.substack.com/



]]> The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales reported in January 2024. The Commission had both independent experts and party political nominees on it, produced a unanimous report, and found that the three main constitutional options they focused on - enhanced devolution, a federal UK and an independent Wales - were all viable (each with their own strengths and challenges). In this new podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Dr Anwen Elias, Reader in politics at the University of Aberystwyth and an expert member of the Commission about the findings of the Commission and too its relevance to Scotland - and where the EU and Brexit fit in to the debate.

The podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes' substack Europe and Scotland https://kirstyhughes.substack.com/



]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-14657004 Sat, 09 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 2215 UK, Wales 1 15 full false The UK, Scotland & the EU: A European Parliament View The UK, Scotland & the EU: A European Parliament View The latest European Conversations podcast. This episode is in conversation with Susanne Oberhauser, Director of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK. We discuss a range of topics: what her office does in the UK post-Brexit - including how it works with Scotland and the other devolved nations, the state of EU-UK relations, whether the UK or Scotland (if it became independent) might apply to rejoin the EU, and the Liaison Office role in the upcoming European Parliament elections, given around five million EU citizens live in the UK.

This podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes' Europe & Scotland substack.

]]> The latest European Conversations podcast. This episode is in conversation with Susanne Oberhauser, Director of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK. We discuss a range of topics: what her office does in the UK post-Brexit - including how it works with Scotland and the other devolved nations, the state of EU-UK relations, whether the UK or Scotland (if it became independent) might apply to rejoin the EU, and the Liaison Office role in the upcoming European Parliament elections, given around five million EU citizens live in the UK.

This podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes' Europe & Scotland substack.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-14302136 Sat, 13 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1046 Scotland, EU, UK 1 14 full false The EU Facing up to its Biggest Challenges? The EU Facing up to its Biggest Challenges? In this short, insightful podcast, Kirsty Hughes discusses three big European questions with top EU expert Dr Nicolai von Ondarza, as 2023 draws to a close. Nicolai is director of the EU and Europe division at leading German think tank, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. In an end of year overview, they discuss the EU’s big eastward enlargement plans; the EU’s divisions over Gaza; and the risk of a right-wing backlash against the EU’s Green Deal. 

 

This podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes’ substack, Europe and Scotland newsletter, which you can find (and sign up to for free) here.

]]> In this short, insightful podcast, Kirsty Hughes discusses three big European questions with top EU expert Dr Nicolai von Ondarza, as 2023 draws to a close. Nicolai is director of the EU and Europe division at leading German think tank, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. In an end of year overview, they discuss the EU’s big eastward enlargement plans; the EU’s divisions over Gaza; and the risk of a right-wing backlash against the EU’s Green Deal. 

 

This podcast was first published on Kirsty Hughes’ substack, Europe and Scotland newsletter, which you can find (and sign up to for free) here.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-14181421 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 18:00:00 +0000 791 EU, EU enlargement, Green Deal, Gaza 1 13 full false The short and winding road to a Scottish currency The short and winding road to a Scottish currency In this European Conversations podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Dr Iain Hardie about currency and independence and asks him about whether an independent Scotland should or could keep the pound sterling, introduce a Scottish currency and/or eventually join the euro. He opts for a Scottish currency in place on Day One of independence...

 

Iain Hardie is a visiting lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he was previously senior lecturer. Prior to that he worked in investment banking in London and Hong Kong.

]]> In this European Conversations podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Dr Iain Hardie about currency and independence and asks him about whether an independent Scotland should or could keep the pound sterling, introduce a Scottish currency and/or eventually join the euro. He opts for a Scottish currency in place on Day One of independence...

 

Iain Hardie is a visiting lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he was previously senior lecturer. Prior to that he worked in investment banking in London and Hong Kong.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-12970822 Sat, 03 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 2066 1 12 full false Rewilding Scotland - and Europe Rewilding Scotland - and Europe In our latest European Conversations podcast, Kirsty Hughes visits Dundreggan, in the Highlands, to talk to Steve Micklewright, CEO of Scottish rewilding charity Trees for Life. They discuss the charity's vital work in rewilding the Scottish highlands, especially in Glen Affric and Dundreggan, through restoring the once great Caledonian Forest.


Steve  talks about their partnership with Rewilding Europe and what they learn from, and bring to, their European partners from Portugal to Ukraine; he also raises the damaging costs of Brexit. Their Affric Highlands, a 30-year project, will create a landscape of 500,000 acres, the size of a small country. This joint project brings together communities, businesses and landowners, and is focused on woodlands, peatlands and riverside habitats. But, as Steve, says, given the urgency of the twin climate and biodiversity crises, the role of government remains vital too.

]]> In our latest European Conversations podcast, Kirsty Hughes visits Dundreggan, in the Highlands, to talk to Steve Micklewright, CEO of Scottish rewilding charity Trees for Life. They discuss the charity's vital work in rewilding the Scottish highlands, especially in Glen Affric and Dundreggan, through restoring the once great Caledonian Forest.


Steve  talks about their partnership with Rewilding Europe and what they learn from, and bring to, their European partners from Portugal to Ukraine; he also raises the damaging costs of Brexit. Their Affric Highlands, a 30-year project, will create a landscape of 500,000 acres, the size of a small country. This joint project brings together communities, businesses and landowners, and is focused on woodlands, peatlands and riverside habitats. But, as Steve, says, given the urgency of the twin climate and biodiversity crises, the role of government remains vital too.

]]> https://euromovescotland.org.uk/ European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-12798980 Sun, 07 May 2023 11:00:00 +0100 1421 11 full false Helping Nature to Heal Itself - Rewilding Europe Helping Nature to Heal Itself - Rewilding Europe Kirsty Hughes discusses with Frans Schepers, executive director of Rewilding Europe (https://rewildingeurope.com) what rewilding is and can be and how letting nature be in control rather than humans controlling nature can contribute to reversing the deep losses of biodiversity and contribute to climate goals. “Wild nature should be an important part of modern Europe.”


Rewilding Europe has ten local partners and landscapes they are rewilding across Europe, including in Scotland (Glen Affrick: https://rewildingeurope.com/landscapes/affric-highlands/). Schepers argues there is huge potential to do much more by the end of this decade - and not just reforestation but increasing the wild animal population and reducing the amount of land given over to producing food for livestock/red meat industry.


]]> Kirsty Hughes discusses with Frans Schepers, executive director of Rewilding Europe (https://rewildingeurope.com) what rewilding is and can be and how letting nature be in control rather than humans controlling nature can contribute to reversing the deep losses of biodiversity and contribute to climate goals. “Wild nature should be an important part of modern Europe.”


Rewilding Europe has ten local partners and landscapes they are rewilding across Europe, including in Scotland (Glen Affrick: https://rewildingeurope.com/landscapes/affric-highlands/). Schepers argues there is huge potential to do much more by the end of this decade - and not just reforestation but increasing the wild animal population and reducing the amount of land given over to producing food for livestock/red meat industry.


]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-11677971 Fri, 11 Nov 2022 21:00:00 +0000 1588 Environment, Nature, Biodiversity, Climate Change 1 10 full false Russia in Ukraine: 40 days of war, years of disinformation Russia in Ukraine: 40 days of war, years of disinformation In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, Kirsty Hughes talks to Galina Pastukh, deputy director of the Ukrainian think tank Texty, about the dreadful war in her country, including the latest atrocities in and around Bucha - crimes against humanity that the Russian authorities have labelled "theatre" and "provocations" fabricated by Ukrainians.

Galins talks passionately and knowingly about Russia's disinformation campaign, a topic Texty has analysed for the past five or six years, and about how Ukrainian civil society, including think tanks like her own, need to retain close contacts with the rest of Europe and support from like-minded networks. Above all, she looks forward to Ukraine gaining its place at the heart of the EU in due course.

]]> In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, Kirsty Hughes talks to Galina Pastukh, deputy director of the Ukrainian think tank Texty, about the dreadful war in her country, including the latest atrocities in and around Bucha - crimes against humanity that the Russian authorities have labelled "theatre" and "provocations" fabricated by Ukrainians.

Galins talks passionately and knowingly about Russia's disinformation campaign, a topic Texty has analysed for the past five or six years, and about how Ukrainian civil society, including think tanks like her own, need to retain close contacts with the rest of Europe and support from like-minded networks. Above all, she looks forward to Ukraine gaining its place at the heart of the EU in due course.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-10376951 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:00:00 +0100 1573 full false First Scent of War in Europe First Scent of War in Europe In the latest European Conversation from EMiS and SCER Kirsty Hughes talks to leading Scottish commentator, journalist and author Neal Ascherson about the risk of war in Europe, relations with Russia – and why the drive for Scottish independence in Europe is stalled.

]]> In the latest European Conversation from EMiS and SCER Kirsty Hughes talks to leading Scottish commentator, journalist and author Neal Ascherson about the risk of war in Europe, relations with Russia – and why the drive for Scottish independence in Europe is stalled.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-8836205 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0100 2296 Europe, Russia, Scotland 8 full false The EU and the Arctic The EU and the Arctic In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, jointly produced by the European Movement in Scotland and the Scottish Centre on European Relations,  Dr Kirsty Hughes talks to  the EU's Special Envoy for Arctic Matters, and former EU Ambassador to Iceland, Michael Mann. They discuss the EU's Arctic Strategy,  due for a major update this autumn, and the big geopolitical and climate change challenges of the Arctic region.

]]> In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, jointly produced by the European Movement in Scotland and the Scottish Centre on European Relations,  Dr Kirsty Hughes talks to  the EU's Special Envoy for Arctic Matters, and former EU Ambassador to Iceland, Michael Mann. They discuss the EU's Arctic Strategy,  due for a major update this autumn, and the big geopolitical and climate change challenges of the Arctic region.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-8377574 Wed, 21 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +0100 1427 EU, Arctic, Climate Change 7 full false Brexit, Ideology and the Decline of the British State Brexit, Ideology and the Decline of the British State
In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, jointly produced by the European Movement in Scotland and the Scottish Centre on European Relations,  Dr Kirsty Hughes talks to Professor David Edgerton about how the British Conservative party became a Brexit party through the success of a highly misleading ideology of British exceptionalism, and discusses with him whether a fragmentation of the UK would, in fact, be good for all its four nations.

]]>
In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts, jointly produced by the European Movement in Scotland and the Scottish Centre on European Relations,  Dr Kirsty Hughes talks to Professor David Edgerton about how the British Conservative party became a Brexit party through the success of a highly misleading ideology of British exceptionalism, and discusses with him whether a fragmentation of the UK would, in fact, be good for all its four nations.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-8329174 Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:00:00 +0100 1811 Brexit, Conservative Party, UK, Scotland 6 full false Denmark and Scotland find common cause Denmark and Scotland find common cause In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts Kirsty Hughes talks to Lykke Friis, director of think tank Europa and former Danish minister for climate, energy and gender equality about COP26, Scotland's accession to the EU, Covid-19 and vaccines and lots more.

]]> In the latest of our European Conversations podcasts Kirsty Hughes talks to Lykke Friis, director of think tank Europa and former Danish minister for climate, energy and gender equality about COP26, Scotland's accession to the EU, Covid-19 and vaccines and lots more.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-7882153 Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:00:00 +0000 1665 EU,Scotland, Denmark, Vaccine, COP-26 5 full false A Green European Future A Green European Future In the latest European Conversation, her fourth podcast with EMiS and the Scottish Centre on European Relations, Kirsty Hughes talks to Terry Reintke, a German Green MEP, about her views on Hungary/Poland and the rule of law, the EU recovery plan and next 7-year budget, the Future of Europe conference – and the prospects of UK and/or Scottish MEPs returning to the chamber of the European Parliament.


]]> In the latest European Conversation, her fourth podcast with EMiS and the Scottish Centre on European Relations, Kirsty Hughes talks to Terry Reintke, a German Green MEP, about her views on Hungary/Poland and the rule of law, the EU recovery plan and next 7-year budget, the Future of Europe conference – and the prospects of UK and/or Scottish MEPs returning to the chamber of the European Parliament.


]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-6739540 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0000 1093 EU, Rule of Law, Green Party, Hungary, Poland 4 full false Green New Deal and The Just Transition Green New Deal and The Just Transition In the latest European Conversations Podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Diederik Samsom, Head of Cabinet to European Vice President Frans Timmermans, and former leader of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA)  about the world's climate challenge and what the EU is doing to help tackle it. 

Ranging from the European Green Deal to next year's COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow to the challenges of moving on from fossil fuels and ensuring a just transition even in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, this wide-ranging conversation is an important contribution to European and international debate.

As Diederik Samsom argues, both optimism and urgency are vital if the last chance summit in Glasgow next November is to produce a sustainable outcome.

]]> In the latest European Conversations Podcast, Kirsty Hughes talks to Diederik Samsom, Head of Cabinet to European Vice President Frans Timmermans, and former leader of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA)  about the world's climate challenge and what the EU is doing to help tackle it. 

Ranging from the European Green Deal to next year's COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow to the challenges of moving on from fossil fuels and ensuring a just transition even in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, this wide-ranging conversation is an important contribution to European and international debate.

As Diederik Samsom argues, both optimism and urgency are vital if the last chance summit in Glasgow next November is to produce a sustainable outcome.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-6221935 Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +0000 1701 EU, Scotland, Green New Deal, European Union, Climate Change 3 full false Ireland backs Scotland in EU Ireland backs Scotland in EU In the second of our European Conversations podcasts, Kirsty Hughes talks to Irish politician Neale Richmond, Fine Gael TD for a Dublin constituency and a leading spokesman on EU affairs. Neale gives strong backing to Scotland rejoin the EU, suggests a transitional phase plus credible forward plan can accommodate its likely excessive budget deficit – and urges the Scottish Government to set up offices in all 27 EU capitals straight away.

]]> In the second of our European Conversations podcasts, Kirsty Hughes talks to Irish politician Neale Richmond, Fine Gael TD for a Dublin constituency and a leading spokesman on EU affairs. Neale gives strong backing to Scotland rejoin the EU, suggests a transitional phase plus credible forward plan can accommodate its likely excessive budget deficit – and urges the Scottish Government to set up offices in all 27 EU capitals straight away.

]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-6093172 Tue, 27 Oct 2020 20:00:00 +0000 1499 2 full false Deal, no deal - or thin deal? Deal, no deal - or thin deal?  Kirsty Hughes,leading commentator and analyst when it comes to EU matters and founder of the Scottish Centre on European Relations, is talking to David Gow, former Guardian correspondent in Brussels, editor of webzine Sceptical Scot and European Movement in Scotland executive member. 
They are discussing what happens now between the UK and EU after last week's summit in Brussels – and how Scotland fits in.


]]>  Kirsty Hughes,leading commentator and analyst when it comes to EU matters and founder of the Scottish Centre on European Relations, is talking to David Gow, former Guardian correspondent in Brussels, editor of webzine Sceptical Scot and European Movement in Scotland executive member. 
They are discussing what happens now between the UK and EU after last week's summit in Brussels – and how Scotland fits in.


]]> European Movement in Scotland Buzzsprout-5947075 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0100 1376 1 full false