Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Jun 12, 2007
"The acceptable face of Spin" David Cameron welcomes Monty Panesar to last night's celebration
Last night I was amongst more than 700 people including England cricket hero Monty Panesar who joined David Cameron in London to celebrate 60 years of independence for India and Pakistan. The guests included the High Commissioners for both Pakistan and India, together with some of the most successful
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
May 04, 2007
Charles getting out the vote in Erdington Ward with Gareth Compton and his team
Birmingham has always been a bell weather of moderate British opinion.
Yesterday in Birmingham the Conservatives had the best local election results since 1983. Council Leader Mike Whitby runs his "progressive partnership" with the LibDems with fiscal discipline and has delivered services that are independently
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
May 01, 2007
Yesterday I was extremely fortunate to be invited to play golf with the new CEO of Aston Villa in the Former Players Association Golf Day. Being on the course and then at dinner with legends of the club like Brian Little, Gary Shaw, Chris Nicholl, Peter Withe, Bruce and Neil Rioch, Davie Gibson, Derek Mountfield, Darren Bradley and Tony Hateley was just a dream come true for a life long Villa
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 23, 2007
I attended my first full meeting as an elected member of the Board of the Conservative Party Board on Monday.
My first reaction to attendance at the Board is that this is a large group that reflects a wide perspective of opinion in the Party. The Board includes MPs through the chairman of the 1922 Committee, councillors, Peers, MEPs, the Party Treasurers, and currently three additional MPs who do
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 19, 2007
Charles having just given blood at Lifeforce Immune Systems Bank in Newport, South Wales
We really should celebrate Britain's global leadership in technological innovation, particularly in biotechnology.
Today I visited a small but fast growing business in South Wales. Lifeforce is an Immune Systems Bank that has developed a process that could help you to use your own immune system to help fight a
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 14, 2007
When my neighbour Dr K S Rajah asked if I would like to join him at the new Hindu Temple in Oldbury for their Tamil New Year celebration, I had absolutely no idea what an exceptional building and strong community has been built. Led by determined trustees more than £8 million has been raised to build what has to be one of the most exciting buildings in England.
The community cohesion from the
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 06, 2007
There has been quite a lot of comment in the Conservative blogosphere on the appointment of Sir Michael Lyons as Chairman of the BBC Trust. And much of it has been from those who know little of Michael and who have never seen him in action.
I know Michael Lyons well. For the past two years he and I have served together on the Board of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra where Michael is
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 03, 2007
Charles with Randy Lerner, owner of Aston Villa FC and the Cleveland Browns, and Richard FitzGerald, CEO of Aston Villa.
I spent this evening as a guest of Richard FitzGerald at Aston Villa Football Club. Villa has always been my team, and it was exciting to see the team play Everton this evening in a 1-1 draw. The second half was full of lively incident, and it was an extraordinary experience to
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Mar 20, 2007
Charles with HE Ambassador Robert Tuttle, US Ambassador to the Court of St James
US Ambassador Robert Tuttle welcomed members of the British American Project to the US Embassy in London on 20th March. In an off the record discussion under the Chatham House Rule the Ambassador referred fluently and engagingly to almost every major issue facing the United States. In a wide ranging discussion
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Mar 17, 2007
Candidates for the Party Board: Charles Barwell, Richard Robinson, Emma Pidding and Jeremy Middleton
At the National Convention meeting held before Spring Forum in Nottingham, senior Conservatives elected me as the new Vice-President of the Convention, joining Emma Pidding and Jeremy Middleton who were resoundingly re-elected to the Party Board.
I have to admit to be a little daunted by the
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