The Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative held a private discussion with Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP, to examine the consequences of a possible British exit from the European Union (EU). Mr. Grayling was eager to exchange views on the United Kingdom’s referendum on June 23, when British citizens will decide the fate of their relationship with the EU. Grayling offered his perspective as a prominent government figure advocating for Britain to leave, along with insights on the polling and the domestic debate. During his trip to Washington, he engaged the transatlantic community in dialogue about the case for Brexit and the role of the United Kingdom in the world as we head into the final month before the referendum.

Mr. Grayling was appointed Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons in May 2015. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice. Previously, and following the formation of the coalition government in May 2010, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions. He was elected Member of the Parliament for the Conservative Party for Epsom and Ewell in 2001.