Join the World Affairs Council and the Right Honorable Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland, for a lecture on the politics and personalities of Brexit. Focusing on the current political actions involving the United Kingdom and the European Union, McLeish will address why Brexit has not happened yet, and discuss possibilities around a new Brexit deal.
This political crisis has been prolonged for months, the UK government has been unable to agree on an approach to the country’s biggest peacetime decision in decades, while the deadline for leaving the EU is approaching quickly. Additionally, the impact of Brexit on the European Union will result in social and economic changes to the Union, but also longer term political and institutional shifts.
Henry McLeish became the First Minister of Scotland in 2000, served and led in two parliaments, before becoming a widely applauded graduate school professor and a globe-trotting advocate for Scotland and Humanity. McLeish played professional soccer before rising up the political ranks in Britain. McLeish took on the responsibility for Scotland’s emerging role on the European world stage, leading official government missions internationally and implemented Scotland’s social and economic policies.
Furthermore, he played a crucial role in the process of British devolution, which returned key aspects of legislative power and Government from the UK to Scotland. Besides his nation’s notable achievements, HM Queen Elizabeth bestowed on him membership in her Privy council. Following retirement from politics in 2003, he has spent the last decade as a visiting professor and lecturer at a number of Universities in the US, teaching European Union studies and UK Government and Politics. He is currently a distinguished visiting professor of St. Mary’s University of Law in European Union Law and Policy, where he teaches each spring semester in San Antonio, TX.
This event is FREE and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of Blue Skies of Texas.
Wednesday, November 6th, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Sky Lounge
Blue Skies of Texas