It’s Europe Day, a time to reflect on the audacious plan born 70 years ago to bring the tattered countries of Europe together in a trade and economic partnership to revive while also avoiding any future war. 1/

As more countries joined this union and found other benefits through coordination, pooling resources and exchanging info, one country decided to leave. 2/

So, on this Europe day, 65 million Briton’s have lost their freedom of movement and opportunity to join in research, education and health programmes.3/

As the current pandemic has shown, to act quickly, we need to act together, pool our knowledge. No one is safe until everyone is safe. I am sad that the UK chose an initial response to covid which went against any public health principles &values.
4/

I’ve spent years trying to figure out why my country is such an awkward partner in the EU & my view is that the uk never really addressed the end of colonialism. 5/

There was never any closure or acknowledgment of the trauma and tragedy inflicted in many countries. Instead, it’s all pretty landscapes and gin and tonics at sundown. 6/

Yesterday, the VE Day celebrations in uk saw street parties and union jacks but where were the stories of Indian soldiers fighting for the British or allied French fighting together? 7/

How we represent our past sets us up for the future. Now more than ever we need historians...and public health experts of course! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💙" title="Blue heart" aria-label="Emoji: Blue heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🌏" title="Earth globe asia-australia" aria-label="Emoji: Earth globe asia-australia">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇪🇺" title="Flag of European Union" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of European Union">