Conservative Group for Europe

The Conservative European Forum (CEF) 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 relationships with the democracies of Europe, including the European Union.

Conservative European Forum (CEF)
PresidentKenneth Clarke
ChairpersonDavid Lidington
Founded1969
Websitewww.conservativeeuropeanforum.com

The organisation campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum. Although CEF 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, strategic relationships with its European allies in the future. It is for this reason that CEF was resolutely opposed to a no-deal Brexit. [1]

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.[2]

On 28th January 2021, Rt Hon. Sir David Lidington KCB CBE and Stephen Hammond MP official launched the Conservative European Forum (CEF), replacing the Conservative Group for Europe (CGE). The change in name represents the changes in focus, priorities and mission for the organisation. [3] Now that the UK has left the European Union with a deal, CEF offers a home to Conservative supporters who favour close, strategic relationships with Europe. The organisation aims to be the leading centre-right organisation advocating for closer links with the countries and institutions of Europe. [4]

History

The Conservative European Forum was founded in 1969 under the Chairmanship of David Baker. The organisation 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. [5]

With the resignation of French President Charles De Gaulle who opposed UK membership of the EEC and the election of Edward Heath (a staunch pro-European) negotiations commenced for the UK to join the EEC. It was during these negotiations that the organisation changed its name to the Conservative Group for Europe (CGE).

CEF played a vital role in the UK's ascension to the EEC. The organisation 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 European Forum. [6]

In the 1980/90s the CEF'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,CEF 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 organisation include, Sir James Spicer, Edwina Currie, Robert Walter, John Gummer (Lord Deben), 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 (former MEP) and Sir Tony Baldry. [7]

Current Role

CEF remains an active organisation and campaigns both inside and outside the Conservative Party.

The organisation 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. [8] [9]

In 2018 the organisation 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 European Forum.

During elections the CEF campaigns locally for pro-Europeans Conservative candidates. [10]

The organisation also holds events at the annual Conservative Party Conference. [11]

The organisation as an active youth wing which is a member of both the European Democrat Students (EDS) and the Nordic Conservative Student Union (NKSU) [12]

CEF 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 CEF 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 (ideologically centre-right but without membership of any political party) are permitted to join. [13]

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 Minister Lord Heseltine. [14]

See also

References
  1. "DOMINIC GRIEVE: The rebels are the real voice of conservatism". theneweuropean.co.uk. The New European. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  2. "People". conservativegroupforeurope.org.uk. Conservative Group for Europe. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. "Keynote Speech by CEF Chair, Rt Hon Sir David Lidington KCB CBE". conservativeeuropeanforum.com. Conservative European Forum. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  4. "CEF Launch Press Release". conservativeeuropeanforum.com. Conservative European Forum. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. "History". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. "Speech to Conservative Group for Europe (opening Conservative referendum campaign)". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Margaret Thatcher Foundation. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. "Long read: the Conservative Party's legacy on Europe". ukandeu.ac.uk. The UK in a Changing Europe. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. "CGE No Deal Briefing Papers". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. "Analysis: Polls Point to Hung Parliament". politicshome.com. Politics Home. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. "YCGE Campaigns with Stephen Hammond MP". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. "'Tories no longer party of Churchill and more the party of Trump', says ex-cabinet minister David Gauke". sky.com. Sky. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. "YCGE". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. "Membership". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  14. "Who We Are". conservativeeuropegroup.org.uk. Conservative Europe Group. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
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