Conservative Middle East Council

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The Conservative Middle East Council (CMEC) was set up in 1980 to act as a focal point within the Conservative Party (UK), in particular within the Conservative Parliamentary Party, for members and MPs (Member of Parliament) with an interest in the Middle East.

[edit] Background

The central objective of CMEC is to raise awareness of Middle East issues amongst Conservative MPs and Peers and where possible in the wider Conservative Party.

This is done through regular delegations to the region. In 2007 there have so far been visits to Iran, Syria, Jordan, Israel and OPT. With many more planned for 2008. Reports, briefings and a lecture programme are also used to aid in gaining their objectives.

CMEC also aims to provide a balance within the Conservative party on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) is a well-funded and well organised lobby with nearly 80 percent of Conservative MPs as members. It was thought that because CFI is very strongly supportive of Israel that it would be useful for there to be group which was more inclined to support the Palestinian cause.

Conservative MP Crispin Blunt (b.1960) is the current Chairman of the CMEC.^[1]. The other officers are Hugh Robertson MP, Treasurer, and Hugo Swire MP, Secretary. Sir Nicholas Soames recently became (July 2007) CMEC's honorary president.

The Conservative Middle East Council should not be confused with CAABU, which is the Council for Advancement of Arab-British Understanding. CAABU is not affiliated to any particular political party, but works closely with CMEC - indeed Crispin Blunt is also a chair of CAABU. This includes their annual Conservative Party Conference event held jointly. In 2007, William Hague MP and Dr. Mustafa Bargouthi will be the guest speakers at their event in Blackpool.