Conservative Middle East Council
The Conservative Middle East Council (CMEC) 'exists to ensure that conservative MPs and Peers understand the Middle East'.
- By bringing Conservative parliamentarians together with leading experts, CMEC promotes the discussion of UK foreign policy in the Middle East, and seeks to ensure that this policy in grounded in a deep understanding of the complexities of the region.
- By taking delegations to countries across the region, CMEC allows Conservative parliamentarians to gain a unique, first-hand understanding of the Middle East.
Contents
Party Conference Fringe Events
Conservative 2014
- 28th October
- What Next for Iraq? Chaired by The Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, speakers: Rory Stewart MP, Shashank Joshi, HE Faik Nerweyi and Kwasi Kwarteng MP.[1]
Affiliations
- In December 2014, the CMEC invited Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief from 1977 to 2001 and a former ambassador for the kingdom; to deliver the group’s Annual Policy Lecture. The speech, which covered a range of regional security issues, included a denial that Saudi and UAE troops had taken part in the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in 2011. Al-Faisal also claimed that the kingdom of Saud wanted sectarianism 'to stop as quickly as possible.' None of the questions after the speech, which was very well received, raised the issue of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
People
Staff
- Leo Docherty - 'provides the overall strategic direction of CMEC and manages the CMEC team. Prior to joining CMEC Leo was employed as an Analyst and Country Manager for a leading Strategic Communication firm specializing in field research in conflict zones'.
- Adam Takla Research and Events Officer – 'Adam was born in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman and graduated with a 1st Class Degree in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds in June 2007.
Committee
- President – The Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP - Soames was elected as the Honorary President of CMEC in 2007 and previously served as its Chairman from 1997 to 2003.
- Former Chairman – The Baroness Morris of Bolton
- Chairman - Sir Alan Duncan MP - since November 2015
- Deputy Chairman – Adam Holloway MP - since June 2010
- Vice-Chairman – Tobias Ellwood MP - since June 2010
- Vice-Chairman – Dr Phillip Lee MP
Views
On the Palestinian conflict
Outgoing Chariman Baroness Morris wrote, in 2015:
- 'It is no secret, especially given our history, where CMEC stands on the question of Palestine. The fundamental truth is that until the Palestinians are freed from the injustice and degradation of occupation, with a viable and truly sovereign state that guarantees the human rights of its population, the conflict will continue. Our desire for the recognition of Palestine and the formation of a viable Palestinian state is no less informed by our belief that it also represents the best interests of Israel and the best guarantee of Israel’s peaceful and prosperous place in the Middle East.' [2]
The new Chairman, Sir Alan Duncan, added the next day:
- 'Conservatives should be unequivocal in supporting the right of Israel to exist and to defend itself. That, however, is a statement not a policy. It is also not a carte blanche to the Israeli government to act with impunity. Being a friend of Israel is not incompatible with being a friend of Palestine.' [3]
On Saudi Arabia
The incoming Chairman Alan Duncan MP spoke in December 2015 in the House of Commons against Justice Secretary Michael Gove’s decision to withdraw a contract with the Saudi prison authorities. Duncan claimed that the decision was not based on 'legitimate concerns' on the part of his fellow Tory MP but was driven instead by a 'rather caustic personal view of Saudi Arabia.' [4] He later wrote, in an article for ConservativeHome:
- 'Saudi Arabia itself has presented us over the past few months with a question about whether our foreign policy should be to engage or to shun them in response to its hard line judiciary and use of capital punishment.[...] While we should certainly not condone, we should be aware that aggressively condemning is no guarantee of reform either.' [3]
Funding
Publications
Contact
- Address:55 Tufton Street
- Website: http://cmec.org.uk/about-cmec/
- Blog: http://cmec.org.uk/blog/
Resources
Notes
- ↑ What next for Iraq? CMEC, accessed 14 October 2014
- ↑ Broness Morris, Baroness Morris: The Conservative Middle East Council is more important than ever, Conservative Home, October 26, 2015. Accessed 05 October 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sir Alan Duncan, Sir Alan Duncan MP: We need greater understanding of, and better policy towards, the Middle East, ConservativeHome, October 27, 2015. Accessed 05 October 2016.
- ↑ Alastair Sloan, Revealed: The Gulf business tycoons backing the Conservative Middle East Council, Middle East Monitor, January 27, 2016. Accessed 5 October 2016.
