The UK’s Star of European Unity and Peace or simply ‘Our Star’ is a powerful story about the ability of symbols to stir our imagination. When the UK left the EU, the symbolism of one star leaving the firmament took hold and gave rise to the creation of a new ‘UK Star’, which is normally housed in the European Parliament until we return. But at the moment it’s back in the UK on tour, encouraging people to think about ’Choosing Our Future’.
With increasing evidence of changes in public opinion and more critical discussion of the consequences of Brexit, Peter French and Phil Jeanes planned the ‘Choosing our Future’ campaign. This was to involve a series of public debates they called ‘Forum for the Future’ which engage UK citizens in discussions about the future direction of our civil society. Crucially, they wanted to see the establishment of citizens’ assemblies where everyone, but particularly young people, would be engaged to ensure their voices were heard.
There are two Stars: a senior Star measuring two metres in diameter; and a junior Star measuring one metre, which is easier to handle. Both have been in Scotland but now they are in the Midlands, an area where public attitudes to Brexit have been very mixed. This is our opportunity to show that there is continuing debate on our relationship with the European Union.
The Star encompasses a range of issues including the economy, society, environment, governance and global affairs. Hereford Sixth Form College took up the proposal for a discussion at lunchtime on 1 March, looking at the economy, global affairs and society. Forty-three students attended, mostly students of politics, sitting in groups of six to discuss their views on specific questions and to give feedback from each group. There was much enthusiasm and engagement in the room. The level of understanding was shown by one person commenting on global affairs, who said the UK’s intelligence links with the US were one reason for our prominence and probably why both governments continued to support Israel so strongly.
The whole range of issues includes: national prosperity, international trade, costs of living, employment, investment and research; citizens’ rights, democracy, diversity and values, social equality and mobility, health and welfare; climate change, sustainability, environment protection, food supply and regulation, animal welfare; rule of law, constitution and devolution, sovereignty, accountability and transparency, free trade zones; security and defence, immigration, human rights and asylum, diplomacy and treaties, reputation and trust. A big field. Lots for us to debate about.
Bromsgrove for Europe has arranged a senior Star forum at Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Football Ground Lounge on 13 March, chaired by Phil Bennion, Staffordshire farmer and former Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands. There will be short introductions from a small panel and an interactive Q&A session. Bromsgrove for Europe supporters are also planning to take the junior Star to Bromsgrove School and elsewhere.
The senior Star will then go to Hereford for exhibition and discussion at De Koffie Pot in the Left Bank Village, while the junior Star will go to Oxford on 20 March for an event at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, where Professor Danny Dorling from Oxford University, Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming, and Willow Fisher, Young European Movement Head of Campaigns, will talk about “Brexit is a failed project: A brighter future is possible”. You can book here: Brexit is a failed project: A brighter future is possible Tickets, Wed 20 Mar 2024 at 19:30 | Eventbrite
The junior Star will go to Cheltenham to be the focus for discussion at a street stall on 23 March. It will go on to Hayfield in the Peak District on 27 April for the Kinder Mass Trespass event. This is an opportunity to show how being joined up breaks up conventional modes of wisdom on access to territory. Much may it apply to UK relations with the EU.
Other Midlands groups affiliated to the European Movement UK are also considering whether to put on an event for the junior Star. If you have ideas, contact Herefordshire for Europe, which is coordinating arrangements.
If you want to know more and keep up-to-date about Our Star and its continuing journey, please visit the Our Star website and support the project here.
For more information on the concept, design and construction of ‘Our Star’ see this earlier article by Phil Jeanes in our sister publication, Sussex Bylines.
Ed: Phil Jeanes and Peter French are the instigators behind ‘Our Star’ campaigns to consider the UK’s future outside (or inside?) the EU and have worked since 2017 with Jacques Tilly, the creator of ‘Our Star’ and the large satirical floats, bringing them to the anti-Brexit marches in the UK. Phil is also part of the Democratic Odyssey project creating a European People’s Assembly under the auspices of the European Parliament and Commission. Phil can be contacted at admin@ourstar.uk.
We want to hear your views. Please send any comments to editor@westenglandbylines.co.uk
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