Rejoin EU

Background and ideology

Rejoin EU was registered in February 2020, shortly after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It was founded by anti-Brexit campaigners including Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens, two former Conservative MEPs who led the Pro-Euro Conservative Party from 1991 to 2001.^[4]

Rejoin EU positions itself as a pro-EU alternative to the "cautious, ineffective or, in some cases, downright hostile policies on Europe held by other major parties".^[5] It argues that re-joining the European Union would give the UK defence and security benefits, citing the Common Security and Defence Policy.^[6]

Donnelly has said the party follows a parallel strategy to UKIP, by contesting elections, especially under the first-past-the-post system, which could put pressure on the main parties to adopt more pro-European policies.^[7]

Establishment

Richard Hewison, stood for the party at the 2021 London mayoral election,^[8] placing eight with 28,012 votes (1.1%). Later that year, the party also stood candidates at the Chesham and Amersham, Batley and Spen, Old Bexley and Sidcup and North Shropshire by-elections, each time receiving less than 0.7% of the vote.^[9]

The party gained its first and only elected office in 2022, when the party chairman Andrew Smith became a parish councillor in Oxfordshire.^[7] In December 2022, the party stood at both the City of Chester and Stretford and Urmston by-elections, achieving 1.0% and 1.3%, respectively.^[9]

Hewison was also the party's candidate at the 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, during which he criticised the Labour Party for its stance on Brexit.^[10]

Volt UK endorsed the party during the 2024 London Assembly election, with Hewison saying that Rejoin EU would not contest the mayoral election that year, as incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan had made "strong pro-EU comments".^{[11][non-primary source needed]}

Rejoin EU fielded 26 candidates, mainly across London, at the 2024 general election,^[12] including Brendan Donnelly who stood in Finchley and Golders Green.^[13] The party received 9,245 votes (0.03%), with none of its candidates holding their deposits.^[14]

In March 2025, Donnelly told the party, at its first annual conference, that it would stand at the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.^[15] The party selected John Stevens, who came tenth with 129 votes (0.4%). On 23 May 2026, Rejoin EU announced Peter Ward as their candidate for the 2026 Makerfield by-election.^[16]

John Stevens stood for the party at the 2026 Clacton by-election, targeting the 'anti-Brexit vote'.^[17][18] He placed third with 492 votes (1.4%).^[19] Nigel Farage was re-elected and this third place was highest place result for Rejoin EU.^[20] The Guardian wrote that Stevens was running a "highly professional, constituency-wide campaign".^[21]

Richard Hewison stood down as the party leader on the 22 August 2026.^[22]

House of Commons

Parliamentary by-elections

London mayoral elections

Results as published by London Elects.

London Assembly

Results as published by London Elects.

More information Year, Election ...

Year	Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/-
2021	London-wide list	49,389	1.9%	0 / 25	New
2024	London-wide list	62,528	2.5%	0 / 25	0.6%

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Local elections

The party had 15 candidates across 15 wards at the 2026 local elections,^[23] none of whom where elected.