Brexit: EU cancels Britain’s hosting of European capital of culture | The Independent
Didn't want to play your stupid game anyway, you nasty bullies.
Didn't want to play your stupid game anyway, you nasty bullies.
Britain will not be allowed to host the European Capital of Culture as planned in 2023 after Brexit, despite the scheme being open to countries that aren’t in the EU, Brussels has said.
The UK had been scheduled to host the capital in 2023 with candidate cities including Leeds, Dundee, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, and Belfast/Derry having prepared bids at taxpayers’ expense.
However the European Commission, which administers the scheme, said in a letter to the British government reported by Politico Europe that UK access would be “discontinued” following the Brexit vote.
“After consulting relevant services of the Commission, I would like to inform you that following its withdrawal from the European Union, the participation of the United Kingdom in the United Capital of Culture Union action will not be possible,” the letter, from EU director-general for Education and Culture Martine Reicherts says.
The letter was sent to Sue Owens, the top civil servant at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
A spokesperson for DCMS said the Government was "disappointed" that the Commission had only informed the UK of the cancellation after bids for the prize had been submitted. She added that the Government was in "urgent" talks with the Commission about the matter.
Cities designated capital of culture benefit from the title in that they can bid for European funding for arts and cultural projects. The programme has been credited with fostering urban regeneration and raising cities’ international profiles.
Theresa May’s decision to pursue a hard Brexit and leave the European Economic Area (EEA) and single market appears to be responsible for the cancellation of the UK’s hosting. Previous countries to host the capital outside the EU include Iceland and Norway, both of which are in the EEA.
The letter cites EU regulation 445/2014/EU that says that only members of the EEA and countries which are candidates to join the EU can participate.
The UK had been scheduled to host the capital in 2023 with candidate cities including Leeds, Dundee, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, and Belfast/Derry having prepared bids at taxpayers’ expense.
However the European Commission, which administers the scheme, said in a letter to the British government reported by Politico Europe that UK access would be “discontinued” following the Brexit vote.
“After consulting relevant services of the Commission, I would like to inform you that following its withdrawal from the European Union, the participation of the United Kingdom in the United Capital of Culture Union action will not be possible,” the letter, from EU director-general for Education and Culture Martine Reicherts says.
The letter was sent to Sue Owens, the top civil servant at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
A spokesperson for DCMS said the Government was "disappointed" that the Commission had only informed the UK of the cancellation after bids for the prize had been submitted. She added that the Government was in "urgent" talks with the Commission about the matter.
Cities designated capital of culture benefit from the title in that they can bid for European funding for arts and cultural projects. The programme has been credited with fostering urban regeneration and raising cities’ international profiles.
Theresa May’s decision to pursue a hard Brexit and leave the European Economic Area (EEA) and single market appears to be responsible for the cancellation of the UK’s hosting. Previous countries to host the capital outside the EU include Iceland and Norway, both of which are in the EEA.
The letter cites EU regulation 445/2014/EU that says that only members of the EEA and countries which are candidates to join the EU can participate.
Comment