Bruges Group

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The Bruges Group is "an independent all-party think tank. Our independence is our strength allowing us to be free to follow our own policy agenda and put the national interest above party political considerations. Set up in February 1989, its aim was to promote the idea of a less centralised European structure than that emerging in Brussels."[1]

Objectives

"The Bruges Group aims to bring together those from across Europe and North America who have an alternative concept to the Federalist model. So that Baroness Thatcher's vision of a freetrading, decentralised, deregulated and democratic Europe of nation-states is realised the Group believes that Federalism is an inappropriate structure for Europe, and that the tide of European integration must be turned," it states on its website.

"Fundamental reform is required of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, European Court and European Parliament is required in favour of national sovereignty. There has been no popular agreement to the huge transfer of power, which has already taken place from the people of Britain to Brussels. Membership of the Economic and Monetary Union must be ruled out. If such a re-negotiation is proved to be impossible, the Bruges Group advocates withdrawal from the European Union to prevent Britain's incorporation into a European Federal State," it argues.

Funding

Funding for the Bruges Group came from businessmen, including Lord Hanson, Lord White, James Goldsmith and Patrick Barbour.[1]


Principals

Principals
Margaret Thatcher Hon. President Norman Lamont Vice-President Brian Hindley Co-Chairman
Barry Legg Co-Chairman Robert Oulds Director Helen Szamuely Head of Research
John O'Sullivan Washington D.C. Representative    
Former Chairman
Kenneth Minogue Lord Harris of High Cross Martin Holmes
Academic Advisory Council
Tim Congdon Kenneth Minogue Christie Davies
Norman Stone Richard Howarth Patrick Minford
Ruth Lea Anew Roberts Martin HoweQC
Lord Harris of High Cross John O'Sullivan  
Sponsors and Patrons
E P Gardner Dryden Gilling-Smith Lord Kalms
David Caldow Anew Cook Lord Howard
Brian Kingham Lord Pearson of Rannoch Eddie Addison
Ian Butler Thomas Griffin Lord Young of Graffham
Michael Fisher Oliver Marriott Rocco Forte
Graham Hale W J Edwards Michael Freeman
Richard E.L. Smith
Commentators
Martin Ball Tim Congdon Christie Davies
Graham Eardley Margit Gennser Roger Helmer MEP
Brian Hindley Martin Holmes Damon Lambert
Norman Lamont Sally McNamara Patrick Minford
Kenneth Minogue Richard North Robert Oulds
Leolin Price Lee Rotherham Helen Szamuely
Gawain Towler Marcus Watney  

Contact

TEL: +44 (0)20 7287 4414
FAX: +44 (0)20 7287 5522
Website: www.brugesgroup.com
  1. Richard Ford, Thatcher surprised to be made Bruges Group chief, the Times, 7-January-1991