Conservatives Abroad met the Foreign Secretary, the Rt.Hon.William Hague MP for Richmond (Yorks) during the 9th Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Chairman Sandy Whitford told Mr Hague that since 2009 when Gulf Tories were established nearly 60 people have joined her branch.
The Foreign Secretary said "British expats have been living and working in Bahrain for two hundred years and have contributed to the development of this country, strengthening the ties with the UK over the years. We value our citizens, the unofficial ambassadors who fly the flag for us all over the world and I encourage the eligible British expats, regardless of their voting intention, to register their own vote to have their say".
Conservatives Abroad Chairman, Heather Harper visiting from the UK said "there are over 5 million British expats living overseas and around 10 thousand living here in Bahrain; I ask all who are eligible, to register to vote in UK elections so they can be part of the democratic process in the UK. Bahrain was my home for over 10 years, I am lucky to have many close ties and friendships on the island that keep bringing me home to this welcoming country"
Later Mrs Whitford hosted a reception with Guest Speaker the Rt. Hon Alan Duncan MP for Rutland and Melton, Minister of State for International Development and was delighted to also welcome Alistair Burt MP for N.E. Bedfordfordshire, Kwasi Kwarteng MP for Spelthorne, Dr Philip Lee MP for Bracknell, Member of the Energy & Climate Change Select Committee and Leo Docherty Director of CMEC with other distinguished guests. Alan Duncan spoke enthusiastically about the support the Conservative Party receives from members of Conservatives Abroad in Bahrain and the Gulf States.