Two MEPs elected as Tories defect to join Jean-Claude Juncker’s parliamentary group
The MEPs say they can fight for 'the best possible future for our constituents' from their new group
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Your support makes all the difference.Two British members of the European Parliament who were originally elected as Conservatives have defected to another, pro-EU parliamentary group allied with EU president Jean-Claude Juncker.
Julie Girling and Richard Ashworth, who represent south west and south east England respectively, said they were leaving the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) “with immediate effect” to join the European People’s Party (EPP).
The EPP is the main centre-right group in the European Parliament and is allied with politicians such as German chancellor Angela Merkel and Mr Juncker, who was the EPP candidate for Commission president.
David Cameron took the Tories out of the EPP in 2009 because of its pro-EU leanings and instead set up the ECR in a bid to appease eurosceptics within his party. The ECR group has received sustained criticism since it was set up for including unsavoury parties from the extreme and populist right.
Ms Girling and Mr Ashworth, who are both pro-EU, said they both wanted to remain members of the Conservatives in the UK but were leaving the ECR because they believed it would help them achieve “the best possible futures for our constituents”.
“We wish to inform you that we will be leaving the European Conservatives and Reformists group and joining the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament with immediate effect,” they said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“It is our intention to remain members of the Conservative Party in the UK as we believe the activities and approach of the EPP will more effectively further the prospects of achieving the best possible future for our constituents.
“We will continue to work for our constituents from inside the largest and most influential group in the European Parliament. We very much look forward to working with our new colleagues from all 28 member states.”
Though the vast majority of Tory MPs in Westminster have fallen in behind the EU referendum result, the Conservatives' new hardline eurosceptic direction has been less well received by some members of the party's group of MEPs.
All British MEPs will lose their jobs next year if Brexit goes ahead, when there will be fresh European Parliament elections in which the UK does not participate. The UK's seats have been split between other countries and also used to reduce the size of the body.
A spokesperson for the European Conservatives and Reformists group said: “We regret their decision but are not surprised.
“They failed to accept the result of the British referendum on EU membership and as a result distanced themselves from their delegation, which eventually saw the whip suspended.”
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