EDS - a role for Conservative Future? In the last week I had the pleasure of being invited to a European Democrat Student event in Budapest. There, I got to meet fellow Young Conservatives belonging to centre-right parties from across Europe. What I found was a vibrant group, full of energy and passion for conservative causes, with a real voice on the European political scene. What a fantastic group I thought to myself, and something that I'm sure CF members would be keen to get involved in. After all, which young politically active person would say no to conferences across Europe in spectacular cities, meeting important political figures and indulging in some spectacular social and cultural events? So, I enquired what CF's involvement is with the organisation. The reply was that we are in fact full members, albeit a member organisation that sends no delegates, and displays absolutely no interest in the group at all. This is let me remind you, Europe's largest centre-right party youth-wing group, with members in over 30 countries. It has an influential voice at both the EU and the Council of Europe. And yet, CF has either by choice or neglect completely excluded itself. The EDS wants CF involvement; practically instructed me to return to the UK and spread the good word in fact, and I see no reason why we shouldn't make full use of our membership. There has been talk from both incumbent and potential NME members and Chairmen of forming relationships with international groups with similar ideals to ourselves. Well here's a perfect opportunity. The only potential stumbling block is the EDS' affiliation to the EPP in the EU's parliament. However, as some of the EDS' member groups are from countries not even in the EU, and they have no problem with this, I do not see that CF should either. Like it or not, Europe is becoming a bigger more influential part of our lives, and we cannot afford to miss this chance to have any sort of impact upon it. Read more on the EDS at http://www.edsnet.org/ 23.02.08