Read more contentWe give a voice to the tens of thousands of Conservative Party members and supporters who believe that change in Europe is vital, want the Prime Minister’s renegotiation to succeed, and if it does, believe it would be in Britain’s national interest to remain in a reformed EU.
Your contact details are used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By registering you agree to your email address being used in accordance with that policy. We will not share your details with anyone else.
We take a hard-headed view about membership of the EU. We see the advantages of a market without tariff barriers, but have deep concerns about the loss of national sovereignty, the drive towards a European superstate, increased regulation, and unsustainable levels of immigration.
We want to see a competitive and open Europe generating growth and jobs for us all. That is why we support the Prime Minister’s substantial proposed reforms on sovereignty, economic governance, competitiveness, and immigration.
These reforms would not only halt the drive towards ever deeper integration: they would actually begin to reverse the process. That would represent a fundamental change in our relationship with the EU.
A strong Britain in a reformed Europe would give us the best of both worlds. We would be outside the euro, and protected from deeper integration, but able to access the single market. We would remain in the world’s greatest trading block of over 500 million people, but still be outside the Schengen area and so able to maintain our borders. We would need to be very sure about the alternative before throwing such an advantageous position away.
We are proud of the achievements of this Conservative Government in turning the economy around, putting Britain at the top of the world growth league and delivering record job creation. But in an unstable world the recovery remains fragile and there is still work to do.
We believe it is time for Conservatives to weigh up the benefits as well as the costs of EU membership carefully, and focus on the real risks which leaving the EU could have on our economic success.
Exempt Britain from ever closer union and give more power to national parliaments to block EU laws.
Keep our economy secure by protecting countries that don’t use the euro from unfair discrimination by the Eurozone.
Cut the burden the EU imposes on business, to make Britain more competitive and create more jobs.
Tackle the level of immigration by preventing the abuse of free movement, ensuring that our welfare system is not an artificial draw for people from the rest of the EU.
Conservatives for Reform in Europe was set up by members of the Party who believe that change in Europe is vital, want the Prime Minister’s renegotiation to succeed, and if it does, believe it would be in Britain’s national interest to remain in a reformed EU.
"I set up the national ‘no’ campaign that helped keep Britain out of the euro.
"If the Prime Minister secures his reforms, Britain would have the best of both worlds. We would be outside the euro, but able to access the single market. We would remain in the world’s greatest trading bloc of over 500 million people, but outside Schengen and so able to maintain our borders.
"We would need to be very sure about the alternative before throwing such an advantageous position away, yet we are not."
- The Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP, Chairman
"I see the economic gains of our membership of the EU, but I want to see a fundamental change in our relationship with it.
"I back the Prime Minister’s plan for reform because we have to fix our EU membership so we so we get a better deal for our country and secure our future. I hope that everyone who shares our Conservative values can support David Cameron’s renegotiation to bring about the change Britain needs."
- The Rt Hon Sir Eric Pickles MP, Patron
