The CFOB held its annual gala fundraising dinner in Kensington on 17th July. The event was oversubscribed with nearly 300 members in attendance, the largest ever gathering in its 12-year history.
The CFOB was honoured with the presence of 20 Conservative MPs, MEPs and members of the GLA and the Conservative Party Board. Each MP presented awards to their local CFOB branches for their outstanding campaign work. Around 30 branches were represented.
Andrea Leadsom MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, delivered a speech congratulating the tireless efforts made by CFOB in bringing the UK and Bangladesh closer together through social action projects such as Project Shapla. She highlighted the central role that CFOB played in supporting the Conservative MPs to visit these camps in 2017 and understand the plight of the Rohingya refugees, which resulted in the increase in Government funding to alleviate their suffering. She also commended the Government of Bangladesh in its humanitarian handling of the Rohingya despite resource constraints. Mrs. Leadsom presented the Lifetime Achievements award to Muquim Ahmed, Founder and Honorary Vice President of CFOB, for his services and support of the organisation since its inception in 2006.
Ann Main MP, President of the CFOB and Chairman Britain-Bangladesh All Party Parliamentary Group, delivered an inspiration speech about the various social action projects she has been involved with during her visits to Bangladesh over the last 12 years. She reiterated the core principles of Conservatism, i.e. hard work, duty to others and prosperity for all, which are shared by the Bangladeshi community.
Mehfuz Ahmed, Chairman of the CFOB, commented, “we’ve had the largest turnout of members, MPs, MEPs and Minister during tonight’s annual fundraising dinner and I am proud of the achievements we’ve made throughout these years in bringing Britain and Bangladesh closer together. We are the most recognised organisation within the Conservative Party and we’ve made a lasting impression thanks to our 400 members who have been instrumental in their support. I would urge more people to join the CFOB family to help improve the lives of the less fortunate.”
Attendees from the Conservative Party:
Andrea Leadsom MP, Lord President of the Council, Leader of the House of Commons
Guy Opperman MP Pensions Minister
Tom Tugenhadt MBE MP, Chair Foreign Affairs Select Committee
Helen Grant MP, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party
Robert Courts MP
Bob Blackman MP
Amjad Bashir MEP
Charles Tannock MEP
Anne Main MP
Paul Scully MP
Gareth Bacon Leader of London GLA
Cllr Tony Devenish GLA
Keith Prince GLA
Westminster Cllr’s and Association officers
Camden Group Leader and Association Chair
Dagenham former PPC and team
Conservative Party Board members:
Andrew Sharpe - President National Convention.
Pamela Hall - Vice President National Convention.
Ian Sanderson, Head of Voluntary Party
Julian Walden, London Fields Director