TORY MPs are seeking to replicate the success of the influential Brexiteer group the ERG by setting up a similar body for the Union.
About 30 MPs are understood to have joined the Tories’ Union Research Group (CURG), which wants to keep the future of the UK at the centre of the UK Government and Houses of Parliament.
The Unionist CURG is now seeking recognition as a parliamentary body and hopes to play an influential role in the Conservative Party. It is being led by Aberconway MP Robin Millar.
The group will bear similarities to the European Research Group, formerly led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, that successfully forced former prime minister Theresa May out of office when she repeatedly failed to get her Brexit deal through the Commons.
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CURG’s creation comes as support for Scottish independence hovers at around 54%. Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week hailed the Union and the co-operation between the four nations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Tory leader has stressed several times he feels there are more similarities than differences between the nations when it comes to their responses to the crisis.
He is now due to head to Scotland in a bid to “save the Union”. Cabinet sources have reported that Michael Gove is in “panic mode” over the state of the Union, while Johnson is in “irritated mod”.
Yesterday the Prime Minister’s spokesman rejected the prospect of Scotland leaving the Union.
Insisting the 2014 referendum was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity, he said: “The UK government will continue to uphold the decisive verdict from the referendum.”
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