Conservatives Abroad Conference, London 2011
Conservatives Abroad Conference 7th October 2011
A hugely successfully 2011 Conservatives Abroad Conference was held at Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London, preceded by a Dinner at St Stephen’s Club on 6th October where Mark Harper MP, Minister for Political & Constitutional Reform, was the guest speaker. He updated all present on the legislative changes proposed with regard to Overseas Voter Registration.
Prior to the Dinner, Lesley Taylor had arranged for delegates to visit the Cabinet War Rooms & Museum and also the Houses of Parliament.
Chairman, Caroline Abel Smith OBE, welcomed over 60 delegates from 18 countries to London and excellent, stimulating addresses were given by the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chairman of the International Office, the Rt Hon the Lord Howell of Guildford, Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Dr Syed Kamall MEP London Region, Darren Mott, Deputy Director of Campaigning and Stuart Hand, Deputy Director Best Practice. All speakers generated numerous questions from delegates.
The Chairman informed all present that Conservatives Abroad would by degrees be integrated into the Campaigning Department of the Party and thus become much more a part of the Conservative family. We were delighted that the 2011 Party Conference Chairman and President of the National Conservative Convention, Fiona Hodgson, also found time to join us for part of the day.
The day concluded with a surprise visit, specially organised by Lesley Taylor, to Number 10 Downing Street for most of the delegates.
All in all, it was felt to have been one of the best ever Conservative Abroad Conferences and there was considerable support to hold the Conference in London on alternate years. We would welcome ideas and feed back on this and suggestions for next year’s Conference venue.
