The ECR Group of the European Committee of the Regions hosted its third fringe event at this year's Conservative Party Conference, which took place in Manchester, United Kingdom, on 2 October. The fringe event gave an insight into the local perspective on Brexit following the country's referendum vote to leave the European Union. 

Addressing the fringe audience, Rob Jonkman, President of the ECR Group and Alderman of Opsterland municipality in the Netherlands, said: "The United Kingdom is leaving the EU, but not Europe. As Members of the CoR, we met political representatives of the UK's devolved administrations and the conclusion of these meetings was clear: our cooperation must continue. We will still work together to ensure that Europe is driven by the principle of localism".

Looking to find answers and offer solutions, Daniel Hannan, MEP, underlined that Brexit was an opportunity for localism, reviving democracy and fiscal devolution. During his speech he also warned that "Brexit must not lead to rolling back EU powers only to replace them with those of national government". The MEP for the Southeast of England added that powers must be repatriated to local government so that they had more fiscal autonomy to address local needs, something that would lead to lowering tax rates overall.

Other speakers at the ECR event were Joe Cooney, Councillor (Leader of the Conservative Group of Pendle Council/Leader of the UK delegation in the CoR/Vice-President of the ECR Group in the CoR) and Andrew Lewer MBE MP (Member of Parliament for Northampton South and former Member of the ECR Group in the Committee of the Regions and in the European Parliament).