Bruges Group
Encyclopedia
The Bruges Group is a think tank
based in the United Kingdom
.
The group is often associated with the Conservative Party
, though it is independent of it and remains an all-party organisation. Its Honorary President is Baroness Thatcher
, and its Chairman is Barry Legg
, who is a businessman and was Chief Executive of the Conservative Party and a former Member of Parliament.
Set up in February 1989, its original aim was to promote the idea of a less centralised European structure than that emerging in Brussels. Its inspiration was Margaret Thatcher's Bruges speech in September 1988, in which she remarked that,
"We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them re-imposed at a European level".
The Bruges Group's research now includes looking into alternative international relationships for the UK and a complete restructuring of Britain’s relationship with other European countries.
Although the Group’s President in Baroness Thatcher many senior Labour politicians have addressed their meetings including the former Labour minister Frank Field, MP, Gisela Stuart MP, Lord Stoddart of Swindon and Labour Cabinet Minister the late Rt Hon. Peter Shore.
The Bruges Group is also often asked by the media to comment on the particularly vexed issue of the European Union and the Conservative Party.
As the European Union tries ever more frequently to extend its influence over individual states’ right to manage their own affairs, so the Bruges Group has expanded its remit to monitor the EU’s policies and regulations relating to the increasing costs of membership, defence, international relations, climate change, national identity, immigration and healthcare.
Internationally the Bruges Group has been particularly active in supporting Euroscepticism in Estonia and discussing issues relating to Turkey and the EU.
in September 1988. It quickly became a focus for Eurosceptic
opinion and opposition to the then President of the European Commission
, Jacques Delors
. The Bruges Group is considered to be the common ancestor of the many British Eurosceptic parties and groups that emerged in the 1990s.
The group was a rallying point for rebellious backbench Conservative MPs during House of Commons debates over the Maastricht Treaty
. An Oxford branch was set up (under Roland Smith) with links to Oxford University's growing Eurosceptic movement led by student activist and future Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan
. The group then went through a difficult period. Dr Alan Sked, an academic associated with the group, fell out with leading members of the Group during 1991-1992, and went on to form the Anti-Federalist League
, which later evolved into the UK Independence Party. Robertson left the group a short time later, later becoming an adviser to Sir James Goldsmith
's Referendum Party
.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
based in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The group is often associated with the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, though it is independent of it and remains an all-party organisation. Its Honorary President is Baroness Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, and its Chairman is Barry Legg
Barry Legg
Barry Charles Legg was the Conservative Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South West from 1992 until the 1997 general election when he was defeated by Labour's Phyllis Starkey. He was one of the Maastricht Rebels. He is the chairman of the Bruges GroupHe was controversially selected by Iain...
, who is a businessman and was Chief Executive of the Conservative Party and a former Member of Parliament.
Set up in February 1989, its original aim was to promote the idea of a less centralised European structure than that emerging in Brussels. Its inspiration was Margaret Thatcher's Bruges speech in September 1988, in which she remarked that,
"We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them re-imposed at a European level".
The Bruges Group's research now includes looking into alternative international relationships for the UK and a complete restructuring of Britain’s relationship with other European countries.
Although the Group’s President in Baroness Thatcher many senior Labour politicians have addressed their meetings including the former Labour minister Frank Field, MP, Gisela Stuart MP, Lord Stoddart of Swindon and Labour Cabinet Minister the late Rt Hon. Peter Shore.
Bruges Group in the media
Its Director, Robert Oulds, is frequently quoted in the press and makes regular appearances on TV and radio discussing European issues. Spokesmen for the Bruges Group have also appeared on BBC TV News, ITN; Sky News; The Daily Politics; BBC World Service; BBC R5 Live and international media outlets.The Bruges Group is also often asked by the media to comment on the particularly vexed issue of the European Union and the Conservative Party.
Activities
The Bruges Group seeks to keep debate on European issues centre stage by commissioning and publishing independent research and by holding meetings and conferences to discuss relevant issues. These seek to inform decision-makers and opinion-formers especially those in Parliament and the media.As the European Union tries ever more frequently to extend its influence over individual states’ right to manage their own affairs, so the Bruges Group has expanded its remit to monitor the EU’s policies and regulations relating to the increasing costs of membership, defence, international relations, climate change, national identity, immigration and healthcare.
Internationally the Bruges Group has been particularly active in supporting Euroscepticism in Estonia and discussing issues relating to Turkey and the EU.
The 1980s and 1990s
The group was set up by Lord Harris of High Cross and an Oxford University student Patrick Robertson following Margaret Thatcher's Eurosceptic speech delivered in BrugesBruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
in September 1988. It quickly became a focus for Eurosceptic
EuroSceptic
EuroSceptic is the second album of British singer Jack Lucien. It was released in October 2009.Due to being an album influenced by Europop, it features songs with parts in different languages...
opinion and opposition to the then President of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, Jacques Delors
Jacques Delors
Jacques Lucien Jean Delors is a French economist and politician, the eighth President of the European Commission and the first person to serve three terms in that office .-French Politics:...
. The Bruges Group is considered to be the common ancestor of the many British Eurosceptic parties and groups that emerged in the 1990s.
The group was a rallying point for rebellious backbench Conservative MPs during House of Commons debates over the Maastricht Treaty
Maastricht Treaty
The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992 by the members of the European Community in Maastricht, Netherlands. On 9–10 December 1991, the same city hosted the European Council which drafted the treaty...
. An Oxford branch was set up (under Roland Smith) with links to Oxford University's growing Eurosceptic movement led by student activist and future Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan
Daniel Hannan
Daniel John Hannan is a British journalist, author and politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament, representing South East England for the Conservative Party and the European Conservatives and Reformists political group...
. The group then went through a difficult period. Dr Alan Sked, an academic associated with the group, fell out with leading members of the Group during 1991-1992, and went on to form the Anti-Federalist League
Anti-Federalist League
The Anti-Federalist League was a small cross-party organisation in Britain, formed in 1991 to campaign against the Maastricht Treaty. It is mainly remembered now as the forerunner of the United Kingdom Independence Party....
, which later evolved into the UK Independence Party. Robertson left the group a short time later, later becoming an adviser to Sir James Goldsmith
James Goldsmith
Sir James Michael "Jimmy" Goldsmith was an Anglo-French billionaire financier and tycoon. Towards the end of his life, he became a magazine publisher and a politician. In 1994, he was elected to represent France as a Member of the European Parliament and he subsequently founded the short-lived...
's Referendum Party
Referendum Party
The Referendum Party was a Euro-sceptic, single issue party in the United Kingdom formed by Sir James Goldsmith to fight the 1997 General Election. The party called for a referendum on aspects of the UK's relationship with the European Union.-Policy:...
.