Gazette

Stephen Crabb, Fiona Bruce, Brooks Newmark and Andrew Mitchell review Project Umubano 2011

By Matthew Barrett
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In the above video, MPs Stephen Crabb, Fiona Bruce, and Brooks Newmark, as well as the Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, review this year's work on the Conservative Party's overseas social action project, Project Umubano, which is based in Rwanda and Sierra Leone. In particular, the video shows project volunteers providing healthcare for the local population, teaching Rwandan Senators how to hold the Rwandan government to account, teaching local people business skills in order to increase employment, and educating local children - especially girls.

The project, which is now in its fifth year, is entirely self-funded and was set up in 2007 by David Cameron and (then-Shadow) Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell. It is led by Conservative MPs and, since its foundation, hundreds of volunteers - from students to Ministers of State - have participated, with many choosing to return to the project.

Eurosceptics debate with Euro-enthusiasts; An invitation to attend a European Reform debate

By Matthew Barrett
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A debate between leading Euro-realists and Europhiles is to be held in the Grand Committee Room in Westminster Hall on Monday, 5^th September.

Speakers will include:

• Bill Cash MP, Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee
• Charles Kennedy MP, former leader of the Liberal Democrats
• Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform
• Barry Legg, Chairman of the Bruges Group and former Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee
• Roland Rudd, founding Chairman of Business for New Europe
• Bernard Jenkin MP, Chairman of the Public Administration Select Committee
• Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners
• Denis MacShane MP, former Europe minister
• Nick Witney, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations after having served as the first Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency in Brussels
• Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Member of Parliament for North East Somerset
• Tim Congdon,  influential UK economist and economic columnist for Standpoint
• Hugo van Randwyck, author of ‘EFTA or the EU?’ 

The Prime Minister wishes Muslims "a very happy and peaceful Eid ul Fitr"

By Matthew Barrett
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The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has released a message wishing Muslims "a very happy and peaceful Eid ul Fitr" - the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan:

“I want to send all Muslim families in the United Kingdom and around the world my best wishes for this very special time of Eid. The ending of the Holy month of Ramadan is a joyous time as families and friends join to together in celebration. This year many of you will come together to contemplate the appalling scenes we have witnessed on our streets and how our communities have been affected. Community spirit however remains strong in this country. I was particularly moved by the scenes of a united community coming together in Birmingham, not only to mourn the deaths of three young friends, but also to issue a strong message of unity and cohesion with people of other faiths. Peace, forgiveness and unity are the spirit of Eid. They are important messages now and will remain so long into the future. I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Eid ul Fitr. Eid Mubarak.”

Ed Llewellyn, David Cameron's chief of staff, has become a dad

By Tim Montgomerie
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Warmest congratulations to Ed Llewellyn, David Cameron's chief of staff. Praised in last week's Guardian for his pivotal behind-the-scenes role in the Libyan campaign his French wife has given birth to their first child. Ellouise Llewellyn was born weighing 7lbs.

Conservative Future launches new website

By Matthew Barrett
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Conservative Future (CF), the wing of the Party for under 30s, has launched a new website.

CF is the largest political youth organisation in the country, and this new site aims to improve communications with activists and potential new members. The site includes an events calendar that lists CF events, and a Branch Toolkit section to find information on setting up a branch, as well as - of course - a page to join CF.

The website uses the Party's web platform, Bluetree, which is also used by many Associations, MPs, MEPs and Councillors. 

Conservative Future National Chairman, Ben Howlett, said:

"On our new national CF website you will be able to find the latest news, campaigns and photographs from Conservative Future. Over the coming weeks and months we'll be adding more features so we’re keen to hear your feedback. We want to keep growing as an organisation and better communications are crucial to this process"

Conservative Friends of Israel statement on terrorist attacks in southern Israel

By Joseph Willits 
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Following a series of series of attacks in southern Israel, near the resort town of Eilat, the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) Parliamentary Vice-Chairman, James Clappison MP has made the following statement:

“I am shocked and dismayed by the events in southern Israel today and I am certain that the UK Government will unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of these indiscriminate attacks on innocent Israeli civilians. It’s especially shocking after so many peaceful years on the Egyptian-Israeli border, to see reports of gunmen - some of them wearing Egyptian uniform - launching an unprovoked attack and thereby raising questions about security on the Egyptian side of the border. As the news develops, the British Government must seek urgent clarification with both the Egyptian and Palestinian authorities and ensure that they immediately take the necessary security measures in the wake of the attacks. The interim Egyptian Government must also provide crucial assurances that they intend to ensure border security is maintained.”

For more information on this series of attacks, please see news reports from Haaretz and the Telegraph concerning events happening there.

Richard Harrington MP is not the heavyweight he once was

By Tim Montgomerie
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I'm trying to lose weight myself at the moment (down 9 kg if you are interested) and so was interested to note a much thinner Richard Harrington stand up in the Commons last week. He's done much better than me. He's lost three stone (about 20 kg). He tells me that portion control is his secret. He's eating half as much as he used to and eats two starters whenever he goes out for dinner.

Richard has written for ConservativeHome today; he's defending the Coalition's reforms to the planning regime.

David Cameron congratulates the England cricket team on their becoming the number one team in the world

By Matthew Barrett
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The England cricket team this afternoon wrapped up the third successive Test win of the current series against India. The victory means that after the fourth Test (the result of which is now largely irrelevant) and the end of the series in a few days' time, the England cricket team will be ranked the number one Test team in the world, a title currently held by the defeated Indian team. 

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, congratulated the England team on their achievement, saying:

"I congratulate the England cricket team on their fantastic achievement. Their performance in this Test - including England's highest-ever innings score in a non-timeless Test and Alastair Cook's magnificent 294 - against the team that has up to now been ranked number one in the world, is a tribute to their domination of the sport. It was a massive team effort, bowling India out twice for less than 250 and always being so sharp in the field. I watched the closing overs on the sofa at home and will remember the joy of the crowd at Edgbaston and England getting to number one in such style for a long time to come. The whole nation can be very proud of our team of world beaters."