The Conservative Group for Europe was founded in 1969 to promote the UK's entry into the European Economic Community. The organisation is committed to a positive and constructive approach to the UK’s relationship with the European Union. The Group campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum. Although the organisation accepts the UK’s departure from the European Union it believes that it is in the best interests of the UK, EU and wider world that the UK maintains a close relationship with the EU in the future. It is for this reason that the CGE is resolutely opposed to a no-deal Brexit. The Rt Hon. Sir David Lidington KCB CBE is the current Chair and Stephen Hammond MP is the current Deputy Chair. The Rt Hon. Kenneth Clarke CH QC is the President.
History
The Conservative Group for Europe was founded in 1969 under the Chairmanship of David Baker. The Group was originally called the European Forum and its first Annual General Meeting was held just after Sir Edward Heath's General Election victory in 1970. With the resignation of French President Charles De Gaulle who opposed UK membership of the EEC and the election of Edward Heath negotiations commenced for the UK to join the EEC. It was during these negotiations that the Group changed its name to the Conservative Group for Europe. The CGE played a vital role in the UK’s ascension to the EEC. The Group brought together pro-European Conservatives and worked with like-minded parties in France to help secure UK’s entry to the EEC on 1 January 1973. The Conservative Party campaign for the UK to remain in the EEC during the 1975 referendum was officially launched by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher when she addressed the Conservative Group for Europe. In the 1980/90s the CGE's annual conference at Brandon Hall near Coventry attracted leading figures from the Conservative Party, MPs and MEPs and leaders from countries with which the Conservative Party was affiliated in the European Peoples Party. Over the years of the Thatcher, Major and Cameron Governments, the CGE was active in support of pro-European Conservative policies including the creation of the Single Market, the Maastricht Treaty, enlargement to include the countries of Southern Europe and later Central and Eastern Europe. Former Chairs of the Group include, Sir James Spicer, Edwina Currie, Robert Walter, John Gummer, Lord Brittan, David Curry, Ian Taylor, John Bowis and Neil Carmichael. Many Conservative politicians have also been associated including, Norman St John-Stevas, Lord Carrington, Douglas Hurd, Francis Pym, Chris Patten, Tom Spencer and Sir Tony Baldry.
Current Role
The CGE remains an active organisation and campaigns both inside and outside the Conservative Party. The Group organises regular high-profile speaker meetings for its members, publishes policy and research papers on a wide range of issues, commissions polling and promotes a pro-European message in the media. Last year the Group launched a No2NoDeal campaign to warn of the damaging consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Many of the 21 Tory rebels who were expelled from the Conservative Party for opposing a no-deal were members of the Conservative Group for Europe. During elections the CGE campaigns locally for pro-Europeans Conservative candidates. The Group also holds events at the annual Conservative Party Conference. The Group as an active youth wing - the Young Conservative Group for Europe. The YCGE is a member of both the European Democrat Students and the Nordic Conservative Student Union The CGE continues its long tradition of fostering links with sister centre-right parties throughout the EU and maintains good connections with many political parties in the EPP.
Membership
Membership of the CGE is open to anyone who supports Conservatives values and a close relationship between the UK and the EU. Individuals who are either members of the Conservative Party or who are Independent Conservatives are permitted to join. The CGE has a large number of current and former Parliamentarians as members and Patrons including former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Deputy Prime MinisterLord Heseltine.
