What is the European Research Group (ERG)?

The European Research Group (ERG) is a group within the Parliamentary Conservative Party that provides research and co-ordinates activity – such as public letters on Brexit and informal organisation – for eurosceptic Conservative MPs. Mark Francois took over as chair in February 2020. Previous chairs include Jacob Rees-Mogg, Steve Baker and Suella Braverman. Recently, Conservative MPs established a China Research Group concerned about the UK’s relationship with China, based on the ERG model.