A new Conservative initiative is aiming to bridge the deep divides left by Brexit and reposition the party’s stance on Europe. Nearly a decade after the Brexit referendum, former Home Secretary Amber Rudd is at the forefront of an effort to re-establish strong ties between the Conservative Party and Europe.
Rudd, who resigned from Boris Johnson’s cabinet over his handling of Brexit, is helping to launch the Conservative European Affairs Council (CEAC). This new informal group seeks to provide a platform for pro-European Conservatives and facilitate constructive dialogue between the party and European partners.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Rudd made a compelling case for a pragmatic approach to Europe, especially in light of shifting global dynamics. “I would say that now, under the current international circumstances, we’re all pro-Europeans,” she stated. However, she was keen to clarify that this does not mean a renewed push to rejoin the EU or rerun the referendum.
“Former Remainers like myself are not campaigning to rejoin, we are not campaigning for another vote. All that is finished, it’s in the past,” Rudd insisted. “What we want now is the best relationship within the Conservative Party to position ourselves for the future, for a future Conservative government facing towards Europe.”
Strengthening conservative ties with Europe
Unlike past Conservative pro-European groups that primarily focused on the UK’s relationship with the EU, the CEAC aims to broaden engagement to all of Europe, including non-EU nations. Max Austin, a Conservative councillor and co-convenor of the group, emphasised that the initiative is about gaining a deeper understanding of political, economic, and social developments across the continent.
The group also seeks to build alliances with centre-right parties in Europe, learning from their successes and strategies. Rudd believes this will help Conservatives appeal to younger voters while distinguishing the party from nationalist movements. “It’s trying to show the Conservative Party is not one of those nationalist parties. It’s outward-looking, and it’s outward-looking towards what’s on its doorstep, as well as beyond,” she said.
Defence, security, and a post-brexit Foreign policy
One of the key areas where Rudd sees an opportunity for deeper engagement is defence and security. With former US President Donald Trump signalling a reduced commitment to European defence and Russia escalating its aggression in Ukraine, she argues that Britain must take on a more assertive leadership role in Europe.
“We have to be more assertive about wanting to lead Europe on the defence side, and that’s exactly what Keir [Starmer] has done,” she noted, referring to the Labour leader’s efforts to build a European coalition in support of Ukraine. “And most people, unless they’re really committed against Labour, but most people who are sort of middle-of-the-road Conservatives are saying ‘Gosh, he’s doing quite well, Keir Starmer, on that side’.”
She added that the current geopolitical landscape—with the US stepping back and Russia’s war in Ukraine intensifying—demands a stronger pro-European stance from the Conservative Party. “In a moment of crisis, like Europe is in at the moment, the combination of Trump stepping back and the Russians leaning even further into Ukraine, that’s where the UK should be,” Rudd said. “And we need to be able to say that we are pro-European from that point of view.”
A surprising level of support
The CEAC has already attracted interest from across the Conservative Party. Its official launch took place at a reception hosted by the Irish Embassy, where attendees included shadow minister Mark Garnier, former deputy prime minister Baroness Therese Coffey, and representatives from Kemi Badenoch’s office. Significantly, even some former Vote Leave campaigners were present.
Rudd admitted she was “slightly surprised” by the turnout of pro-Brexit figures but welcomed their interest. “They said they were here because they think we are doing something which is right for us all,” she revealed.
Max Austin echoed this sentiment, arguing that the UK’s relationship with Europe should be seen as distinct from its past EU membership. “We need to disentangle Europe from the EU. Those two concepts have been entwined for far too long,” he said.
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He also highlighted a growing political space for “pro-European Brexiteers” who may support Brexit but still see value in deeper engagement with European nations. “We’ve had some members who are committed in their belief on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, but are still interested and see the importance of understanding what is going on in the broader European continent and with the EU.”
A new chapter for conservative European policy
Austin made it clear that CEAC is not about reopening past political battles but looking to the future. “It’s not about people being right or wrong in the past, we don’t expect people to say ‘I was right’ or ‘I was wrong’ on anything,” he said. “It’s recognising that the chapter has changed and what we’re doing really matters.”
With a growing number of Conservatives acknowledging the need for renewed European engagement, the CEAC’s formation marks an important shift in the party’s stance. Whether it can truly reshape Tory-European relations in a post-Brexit era remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Amber Rudd and her allies are determined to make the case that, in today’s world, being pro-European is not just a choice but a necessity.
