Tory MPs join 'anti-federalist' EU bloc

Britain’s Conservative MEPs will be part of a new 55-strong “anti-federalist” political group in the European Parliament, it was announced today.

A fortnight after the Euro elections returned 26 Tories – including Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson – David Cameron has fulfilled his controversial pledge to form a new bloc large enough to qualify for full recognition in Strasbourg.

The new grouping brings together centre-right MEPs from eight EU countries under the name “European Conservatives and Reformists Group”, with the UK Tory faction as the biggest single national element.

Second largest will be the 15 MEPs from Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS), followed by nine MEPs from the Czech Republic’s ODS (Civil Democrats) party.

The group is likely to be the fourth largest bloc in the new European Parliament – but the Tories are still negotiating with other likely allies.

“It is hoped that other EU parties and MEPs may be attracted to the group by the time that the new European Parliament convenes in Strasbourg, on 14 July,” said a Conservative Party statement.