Free EU Question Time will allow people to quiz former MEPs

Former members of the European Parliament will be taking part in a Question Time-style debate as the PM struggles to get her Brexit deal past Parliament.



Olle Schmidt, a Swedish Liberal Party member, and Fianna Fáil’s Sean O’Neachtain will be answering the questions at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) on March 21.

Professor Alasdair Blair, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and an expert on European politics, will be chairing the debate.

He said: “This is a chance to put questions to people who have been right at the heart of European politics. Whether you like it or not, Brexit is at the top of the news agenda and I hope this will be an interesting evening.”

Among the issues being discussed will be the future direction of the EU, what the nature of Britain’s relationship will be with the EU after Brexit and the rise of populist politics across Europe.

They will also share their thoughts on the UK’s place in the world – and what reception it can expect as it tries to strike deals without the backing of the EU.

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Olle Schmidt joined the Liberals in Sweden in the 1970s, and was elected MP between 1991 and 1994. He became an MEP in 1999, and retired in 2014. He has served on committees looking at economics, consumer protection and organised crime.

Sean O’Neachtain is a former teacher, who became a county councillor in Galway during the 1990s. He became an MEP in 1994 serving on the fisheries industry committee, and the World Trade Organisation, but stepped down 15 years later owing to ill health.

EU Question Time has been organised in association with the European Parliament to Campus Programme. The programme is run by the former members of the European Parliament Former Members Association and DMU’s Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Governance.

The discussion will start at 6pm and will last for approximately one hour. Refreshments will be available prior to the discussion from 5.30pm, and following the discussion there will be a drinks and canapés reception in the Hugh Aston Atrium.