Anna PattenNov 21, 2022
Juggling With Eggs

Why are these 12 men, the only fee paying members of the ERG, an extreme right-wing fringe of the Tory party, holding the PM and by extension the country to ransom over trade and the policies of the home office?

Adam Holloway
Bernard Jenkin
Craig Mackinlay
David Jones
Gareth Bacon
Greg Smith
Iain Duncan Smith
Laurence Robertson
Michael Fabricant
Robin Millar
Steve Baker
Jacob Rees-Mogg

https://bylinetimes.com/2022/11/21/european-research-group-loses-two-thirds-of-its-paid-up-members/

European Research Group Loses Two-Thirds of its Paid-Up Members – Byline Times

The hard-Brexit lobbying group, which produces research paid for by taxpayer-funded expenses, appears to be losing support

Byline Times
Nov 21, 2022 at 8:01pmWeb
Show threadHyacinth SmithNov 21, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs Fee paying? I thought they got £2k each from taxpayers.
Show threadJuggling With EggsNov 21, 2022
@waxlyrical29 taxpayers pay MP’s salary and then these 12 gave £2000 each to ERG...it’s somewhat surprising though that Suella Braverman isn’t a paid up member, yet seems to benefit fully from their support.
Show threadHyacinth SmithNov 21, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs I see! It is funded by public money – as with other similar groups – and is paid for by an allowance made available to MPs to put into collective "research".
Show threadJuggling With EggsNov 21, 2022

@waxlyrical29 I think you’re right, having just gone back to this useful article in the #BylineTimes ...

‘the ERG is part-funded by subscriptions from MPs’ office budgets – with each MP paying £2,000 a year out of the public purse for access to briefings and materials.’

https://bylinetimes.com/2021/08/23/a-party-within-a-party-calls-for-investigation-into-european-research-group-paid-quarter-of-a-million-in-taxpayer-cash-since-brexit/

‘A Party Within A Party’: Calls for Investigation into European Research Group, Paid Quarter of a Million in Taxpayer Cash Since Brexit

Byline Times reveals the membership and ministerial backing of the powerful group of ‘hard Brexit’ Conservative MPs

Byline Times
Show threadRobsterthermidorNov 21, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs these guys are like the people who sit at Casino roulette tables and keep laying chips on the table in the belief that their losing streak last. The problem here is that they are playing with our money, our country, our futures and our lives.
Show threadFoxgloveNov 21, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs
That’s a football team and a reserve. Can we send them to play in a league somewhere? I’ll chip in some cash for travel.
Show threadPCeeNov 22, 2022

@JugglingWithEggs Steve Baker left the ERG

https://thecritic.co.uk/exclusive-steve-baker-resigns-as-erg-chair/

Steve Baker resigns as ERG chair | The Critic Magazine

Steve Baker has stepped down as chairman of the European Research Group. In his resignation letter, he said that Boris Johnson "has the policy, the mandate and the majority he needs to deliver an exit…

The Critic Magazine
Show threadgreenwayfoodsNov 22, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs I'm sorry, but not surprised to see that my MP.. Greg Smith..is listed. He blocks folk on the Bird Place & FB who disagree with him, or take him to task...me included... He's very good at the photo opp locally... He always votes with the whip, obviously a career politician, climbing the greasy pole.
Show threadJan BennettNov 22, 2022
@JugglingWithEggs power