The Brussels Labour Party Group (BLPG) was established in 1973 by a number of people living in Belgium following Britain's accession to the European Union (then known as the European Communities). Since that time the group has grown and flourished, with hundreds of people taking up membership for a few months, a few years, or remaining loyal members since the outset almost 30 years ago. Some of the group's members have gone on to work for Ministers in the Labour Government, or even to become Ministers themselves after being Members of the European Parliament. Members have also gone on to live in other countries and to form new Labour Party Groups which are now becoming part of the Labour International global network.
Brussels Labour as it is now known currently consists of around 350 Labour Party members living in Belgium, including Members of the European Parliament, officials of the European institutions and other international organisations based in Brussels, and other British people whose work or personal circumstances have brought them to Belgium. The group also includes people of other nationalities who may be members of other socialist parties or who are simply supportive of the Labour Party and its aims.
The Group holds discussion meetings with invited speakers and occasionally organises meetings with other European socialist parties in Brussels. We contribute to General Election campaigns by holding fundraising events: in the 2001 election, we were able to give financial support to candidates in 14 seats. We defend the political rights of British citizens abroad, notably our right to vote in general elections. And we make an input to Labour Party policy through contributions to the Policy Forum.
The officers of the group are listed on this site and any of them would be happy to hear from people living in Belgium who are interested in joining the group, or other Labour Party members arriving in Brussels and who wish to make contact socially or for work reasons.
To join the group, see the membership form here. If you have any queries, send them to membership@brusselslabour.org
I look forward hearing from any of our Labour International contacts, or to seeing anyone who is in Brussels, however briefly, at a future meeting or social event.
Yours sincerely,
Belinda Pyke, Chair