The Rejoin EU Party (known simply as Rejoin EU) is a minor pro-European, single-issue political party in the United Kingdom, established in February 2020 by Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens, two former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The party was founded shortly after Brexit took place on 31 January 2020, and campaigns for the re-accession of the UK to the European Union.
History
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.
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". It argues that re-joining the European Union would give the UK defence and security benefits, citing the Common Security and Defence Policy.
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.
Establishment Richard Hewison, stood for the party at the 2021 London mayoral election, 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.
The party gained its first and only elected office in 2022, when the party chairman Andrew Smith became a parish councillor in Oxfordshire. 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.
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.
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".
Rejoin EU fielded 26 candidates, mainly across London, at the 2024 general election, including Brendan Donnelly who stood in Finchley and Golders Green. The party received 9,245 votes (0.03%), with none of its candidates holding their deposits.
In March 2025, Donnelly told the party, at its first annual conference, that it would stand at the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. 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.
John Stevens stood for the party at the 2026 Clacton by-election, targeting the 'anti-Brexit vote'. He placed third with 492 votes (1.4%). Nigel Farage was re-elected and this third place was highest place result for Rejoin EU. The Guardian wrote that Stevens was running a "highly professional, constituency-wide campaign".
Richard Hewison stood down as the party leader on the 22 August 2026.
Electoral performance
House of Commons + Rejoin EU 2024 general election results Constituency Candidate Votes %BatterseaGeorgina Burford-Connole4010.9Bury St Edmunds and StowmarketRichard Baker-Howard3500.7Chipping BarnetRichard Hewison3790.7Cities of London and WestminsterLiz Burford3520.9Ealing SouthallPeter Ward4751.0Fareham and WaterloovilleEdward Dean2100.4Finchley and Golders GreenBrendan Donnelly4861.0Hammersmith and ChiswickBill Colegrave8211.8Hampstead and HighgateChristie Elan-Kane5321.1HendonBen Rend2330.6Kensington and BayswaterJohn Stevens4861.2Leyton and WansteadSimon Mark Bezer2440.6Melton and SystonMatt Shouler2880.6Old Bexley and SidcupLaurent Williams2510.5Oxford EastAndrew Smith4251.1PeckhamAlex Kerr2850.7Pendle and ClitheroeChristopher Thompson1090.4PrestonJoseph O'Meachair2160.5PutneyFelix Burford-Connole2890.7Rutland and StamfordJoanna Burrows4090.8SevenoaksElwyn Jones2980.6Sheffield HallamSam Chapman4090.8South West HertfordshireVictor Silkin2320.5Stretford and UrmstonJim Newell3080.7TootingJas Alduk3700.7TottenhamAndrew Miles3060.8
Parliamentary by-elections + Rejoin EU Parliamentary by-election results Election Candidate Votes % Position 2021 Chesham and Amersham by-election Brendan Donnelly 101 0.3 8th 2021 Batley and Spen by-election Andrew Smith 75 0.2 13th 2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election Richard Hewison 151 0.7 8th 2021 North Shropshire by-election Boris Been-Bunged 58 0.2 11th 2022 City of Chester by-election Richard Hewison 277 1.0 6th 2022 Stretford and Urmston by-election Jim Newell 237 1.3 6th 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election Richard Hewison 105 0.3 10th 2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election John Stevens 129 0.4 10th 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election Joseph O'Meachair 98 0.3 8th 2026 Makerfield by-election Peter Mark Ward 35 0.1 10th 2026 Clacton by-election John Stevens 492 1.4 3rd
London mayoral elections Results as published by London Elects. Year Candidate Votes % ± 2021 Richard Hewison 28,012 1.1 New
London Assembly Results as published by London Elects. Year Election Votes % Seats +/- 2021 London-wide list 49,389 1.9% 2024 London-wide list 62,528 2.5% 0.6%
Local elections The party had 15 candidates across 15 wards at the 2026 local elections, none of whom where elected.
References