Conservative European Forum

Founded over 50 years ago, the Conservative European Forum (CEF) is committed to strengthening political, economic, social, environmental, and security cooperation between the UK and continental Europe. Closer strategic cooperation, to tackle shared challenges, will make all parties safer, more prosperous and more influential on the world stage. CEF believes that we need to move away from theoretical discussions and focus on the practical challenges of the UK's place in the world, find ways to work with our continental European partners, and build on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). We host regular speaking meetings and networking events to bring together UK and other European stakeholders, including the diplomatic community and UK and European parliamentarians. Our speakers in the last year have included the former UK Ambassador to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers, prominent politicians from Germany’s CDU such as Norbert Röttgen and David McAllister, Secretary General of the European People’s Party (EPP) Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, and other figures from business and UK politics. We are committed to helping rebuild trust, not only between the UK and our European allies, but also between the Conservative Party and its sister centre-right parties throughout Europe and the European People’s Party (EPP). Led by our expert-led policy groups, the organisation develops positive and constructive proposals to enhance co-operation and strengthen strategic partnerships between the UK, other European countries, and EU institutions. CEF works to promote and mainstream these ideas within the Conservative Party and wider Conservative family. Many Conservatives support a close, strategic partnership with other European countries and EU institutions. We provide a forum for those on the centre-right of British politics, throughout the UK, who support our values and goals.