Open Britain

Summary

Open Britain is a British pro-European Union campaign group set up in the aftermath of the 2016 European Union referendum.[7]

Open Britain
PredecessorBritain Stronger in Europe
HeadquartersMillbank Tower, 21–24 Millbank, London, England, SW1P 4QP
OwnerPV Campain Ltd (aka: Baybridge 2019 Limited) (75%)[1]
Executive Director
Chairperson
Roland Rudd[2]
Directors
AffiliationsPeople's Vote
Websitewww.open-britain.co.uk

Background edit

Following the referendum, the official remain group in the 2016 EU referendum, Britain Stronger in Europe, changed its name on 25 August 2016 to Open Britain.[8]

Open Britain defines itself as campaigning for the United Kingdom to be open and inclusive, open for business, open to trade and investment, open to talent and hard work, open to Europe and to the world.[9] It originally campaigned for Britain to remain in the Single Market as part of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.[10]

In October 2016, Open Britain launched a 'Write to Remain' letter-writing campaign directed at Theresa May asking her to guarantee the right of EU nationals to stay in the UK.[11]

The individuals involved in the campaign group include former Ministers Pat McFadden (Labour) and Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat).[12] Conservatives Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan, and Dominic Grieve cut their ties with Open Britain in April 2017 after it began to campaign against the re-election of anti-EU members of parliament, mostly Conservatives.[13]

Open Britain continues to campaign in collaboration with other major pro-European campaign groups such as Britain for Europe and European Movement UK. It launched and promotes People's Vote in April 2018 to campaign for a second referendum.[14][15]

In October 2019, shortly before the 2019 general election, CEO James McGrory was forced out[2] of People's Vote and Open Britain. Almost all the directors resigned. As the lead organisation behind the People's Vote campaign, this led to a major staff walkout in protest at Roland Rudd's, the Chairperson's, actions.

Stop the Rot edit

In 2022 Open Britain began a campaign called 'Stop The Rot' promising "Enough is Enough - Johnson Must Go Join the #StopTheRot Summer of Action".[16][better source needed]. The campaign to remove Boris Johnson was backed by 'Fairvote UK' and 'Let's Take Back Control Ltd' run by campaigner Kyle Gregory Taylor, a former candidate for the Advance Together party in the 2019 general election.[17]

Further reading edit

  • McGrory, James (14 June 2018). "No one voted for a bad deal on Brexit - People's Vote gives us a chance to do something about it". HuffPost.

References edit

  1. ^ "Open Britain: Persons with significant control". Companies House. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Rowena Mason; Peter Walker (28 October 2019). "People's Vote staff walk out over sacking of senior figures". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Open Britain Limited: People". Companies House. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  4. ^ Prynn, Jonathan (26 October 2017). "Outer London families hit by Brexit squeeze as pay rises just 1.2 per cent". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Open Britain Limited: Filing History". 26 Nov 2019: Resolution of alteration of Articles of Association. Companies House. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  6. ^ Companies House https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09641190/officers
  7. ^ Dallison, Paul (2 September 2016). "Remain MPs launch pro-Europe campaign group". Politico. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  8. ^ Straw, Will. "Special Resolution - Change of company name on 25 August 2016". Companies House. Companies House.
  9. ^ Open Britain. "About". open-britain.co.uk. Open Britain. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  10. ^ Asthana, Anushka; Mason, Rowena; Syal, Rajeev (11 October 2016). "Brexit adviser: leaving EU customs union will cost UK £25bn a year". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  11. ^ Mason, Rowena (13 October 2016). "Letter-writing campaign urges Theresa May to let EU nationals stay in UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  12. ^ Open Britain. "New campaign group, Open Britain, launches to fight for best possible EU deal for Britain". open-britain.co.uk. Open Britain. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  13. ^ Walker, Peter (25 April 2017). "Pro-EU Tories quit Open Britain over plans to oust Brexit-backing MPs". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  14. ^ Porritt, Richard (15 April 2018). "Campaign launched to push for People's Vote". The New European. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  15. ^ Staff writer (15 April 2018). "Launch of the new national People's Vote campaign". open-britain.co.uk. Open Britain. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  16. ^ Stoptherot. "About". stoptherot.uk. Open Britain. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  17. ^ democracyclub. "About". democracyclub.org.uk. Democracyclub. Retrieved 30 May 2022.

External links edit

  • Official website