Esquerra London aims to create a closer, more direct relationship with the parties represented in Parliament at Westminster
Esquerra Republicana now formally has a new branch of the party in the United Kingdom. The Republicans presented Esquerra London, the second branch of the party established outside the Catalan-Speaking Countries, after creating the Brussels branch in December 2018.
Esquerra London aims to build a closer, more direct relationship with the parties represented in Parliament at Westminster, as well as extending the number of foreign sections to the nations throughout Britain and Ireland. The President of Esquerra Republicana London Sergi Marcén explained that "Esquerra London will prioritize the establishment of links with organizations, think tanks and political actors here."
Anything we do must serve to improve the lives of our citizens and bring us closer to the Catalan RepublicRoger Torrent Speaker of the Catalan Parliament
The presentation was attended by the Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia Roger Torrent, who emphasized that "we are republicans, and we connect with the historical values and principles of equality, fraternity and liberty." "Anything we do must serve to improve the lives of our citizens and bring us closer to the Catalan Republic. It is not a symbolic matter, but has to do with improving the material living conditions of our citizens, like schools or hospitals, "added Torrent.
Esquerra’s Secretary for International Affairs Jordi Solé also emphasized that "giving the people a voice is a way of improving democracy. It is not just our national identity, but a way to put democracy into practice." Mr Solé also made it clear that "we do not want to be independent just to change flags, but as a means to improve social justice, progress and democracy".
The presentation of the foreign section also featured a panel discussion on self-determination in a post-Brexit Europe with interventions by members of fellow parties such as Joanna Cherry of the Scottish National Party, Michell Gildernew of Sinn Féin, and Hywel Williams of Plaid Cymru.
