To leave or not to leave? The Conservatives and the European People’s Party in the European Parliament

This Policy Brief assesses the choices available to the Conservative Party if it decides to end its association with the European People's Party in the European Parliament. It considers in particular the effects of such a move on the legislative influence and the organisational power of the Conservatives in the EP. The Brief also examines the availability of attractive alternative arrangements. The Policy Brief concludes that it will be difficult for the Conservatives to establish a new EP Party Group that it can present as modern and forward-looking.