Campaign for an Independent Britain

Campaign for an Independent Britain
Name	Campaign for an Independent Britain
Abbreviation	CIB
Founded	1969
Founder	Elsie Bailey
Headquarters	London
Country	United Kingdom
Ideology	Euroscepticism, British nationalism, Sovereignty
Position	Right-wing politics

Campaign for an Independent Britain

The Campaign for an Independent Britain is a United Kingdom-based advocacy group formed in 1969 that campaigned for withdrawal from what later became the European Union. The organisation engaged with figures and institutions across Westminster, the Conservative Party (UK), the United Kingdom Independence Party, and broader Euroscepticism networks while interacting with debates involving the European Economic Community, the Treaty of Rome, and the Maastricht Treaty. Its activities intersected with events such as the United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975, the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016, and discussions around the Single European Act.

History

The group was established in the context of Britain's applications to join the European Economic Community and debates in Parliament of the United Kingdom over the Treaty of Rome. Early contacts included activists associated with the Conservative Monday Club, members of the European Research Group, and figures who later featured in the Referendum Party. During the 1970s the organisation engaged with campaigns surrounding the United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 and parliamentary contests such as the February 1974 United Kingdom general election and October 1974 United Kingdom general election. In the 1980s the group interacted with debates over the Single European Act and the European Monetary System, and in the 1990s it responded to the Maastricht Treaty and the creation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Into the 21st century the organisation took positions during the lead-up to the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 and maintained ties with figures connected to Vote Leave, Leave.EU, and members of the European Research Group who were active in House of Commons of the United Kingdom debates.

Organisation and structure

The organisation maintained a London office and a membership structure that included local branches across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Leadership often featured individuals with prior associations to the Conservative Party (UK), the Liberal Party (UK)-linked Eurosceptic networks, and later connections to UK Independence Party activists. Its governance involved a council or board and a chairperson who engaged with parliamentary committees in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and civic organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and think tanks like the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Centre for Policy Studies, and the Adam Smith Institute. The organisation liaised with media outlets including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, and broadcasters such as the BBC and Sky News.

Political positions and ideology

The group's positions were anchored in Euroscepticism and a strand of British nationalism prioritising national sovereignty and control over parliamentary law-making. It argued against elements of European integration exemplified by the European Union's institutional architecture like the European Commission, the European Parliament, and policies tied to the European Court of Justice. The organisation critiqued monetary centralisation exemplified by the Eurozone and policy coordination in areas such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the Schengen Agreement. It drew intellectual support from scholars associated with institutions like the International Institute for Strategic Studies and publicists who had written about the Common Market and transnational governance, sometimes intersecting with debates involving the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Activities and campaigns

Activities included publication of pamphlets, position papers, and briefings distributed to MPs in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and peers in the House of Lords. The group organised public meetings, rallies, and conferences that featured speakers from across the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and various pressure groups. It campaigned during referendums and general elections, engaged with media campaigns on networks such as the BBC and ITV, and coordinated with other organisations including Business for Britain, Grassroots Out, and Better Off Out. Internationally it connected with counterparts in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and United States-based organisations concerned with sovereignty and trade policy, meeting observers from forums related to the Council of Europe and European parliamentary groups.

Electoral and political influence

While the organisation did not directly stand candidates in United Kingdom general election contests, its campaigning influenced factions within the Conservative Party (UK) and aided networks that later contributed to the rise of the UK Independence Party and the Brexit Party. Its materials were circulated to MPs involved in votes on European Communities Act 1972 amendments and debated during divisions on treaties such as the Treaty of Lisbon. The group's influence was apparent in lobbying efforts targeting committees in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and through alliances with high-profile Eurosceptic politicians who participated in Prime Minister of the United Kingdom-level debates and referendum campaigns.

Criticism and controversies

Critics accused the organisation of aligning with nationalist currents associated with far-right parties in Europe and of promoting positions that opponents characterized as isolationist during debates about the European Union's role in international relations. Journalists at outlets such as The Guardian, The Independent, and The New Statesman scrutinised its funding, links to political patrons, and statements during high-profile campaigns including the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016. Controversies included disputes over whether its rhetoric contributed to polarized discourse in Westminster and whether alliances with groups such as Leave.EU or figures aligned with Nigel Farage affected mainstream party politics.

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Category:Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom Category:Organizations established in 1969