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Chris Patten to Address Tory Party Conference, Stirring Euro Debate

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Chris Patten, the newly appointed EU commissioner for external affairs and former governor of Hong Kong, is set to address a fringe meeting at the Tory party conference in Blackpool. This will be the first time since his parliamentary loss in 1992 that Mr. Patten will speak at a such a gathering, sparking interest among left-wing Tories who have been concerned by Baroness Thatcher's comment on pulling out of the European Union. Mr. Patten is likely to advise William Hague, the Conservative Party leader, to resist pressure from Eurosceptics for a further shift to the right.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chris Patten, the newly appointed EU commissioner for external affairs, will address a fringe meeting at the Tory party conference, marking his first appearance since his parliamentary loss in 1992.
  • The meeting will take place in Blackpool, where right-wingers such as Lord Tebbit are expected to address other gatherings, including the Campaign against a Federal Europe and the Conservative Way Forward.
  • Left-wing Tories have criticized Baroness Thatcher's comment on pulling out of the European Union, with Andrew Rowe accusing her of making repeated misjudgements and warning against opening up renewed divisions in the party.
  • This marks an opportunity for Patten to promote a pro-European stance and advise Conservative Party leader William Hague against further Eurosceptic pressure.
  • The issue of Europe is likely to dominate the agenda at the Tory party conference, with pro-European groups such as the Conservative Mainstream and the Conservative Group in Europe holding fringe meetings.
  • John Gummer, a former cabinet minister, chairs the Conservative Group in Europe, which is part of the umbrella group Conservative Mainstream.

Statistics:

  • 1992: The year Chris Patten lost his Bath seat at the general election and will mark his first speech at a Tory party conference since.
  • 1: The staffing of Chris Patten by the newly appointed EU Commissioner for External Affairs the day before the meeting.
  • 1: The European Union meeting Chris Patten will attend following his conference speech.

Sources:

  • The Independent, a British newspaper.
  • (No dates specified for any source)

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