For years, the Conservatives have trailed Labour in securing the mass support of black and ethnic minority communities in the capital. A fundraising dinner in Barking, East London, on 25 October aims to challenge that perception, by presenting the multi-cultural face of the party.
The Barking Conservative Association has picked Wood Oven Turkish restaurant in Barking as the venue for their next event. The dinner will feature several prominent guests from the party, including Deputy Chairman James Cleverly and Shaun Bailey, who is the Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London. Also present on the night is Andrew Sharpe OBE, the Chairman of the National Conservative Convention.
Mr Cleverly, whose mother is from Sierra Leone, is part of the top tier of Conservatives spearheading their election campaigns. Cllr Bailey, who is of Jamaican heritage, will be hoping to dislodge incumbent Sadiq Khan in two years’ time to become the capital’s first Black Mayor. Add to that the diversity of the local Conservative Party, and it is the perfect poster moment for the Tories as they try to court ethnic communities like British Turks.
The evening gives Barking residents a chance to talk to these notable Tories and to meet local party members. Alongside the political chit chat will be delicious Turkish cuisine, a raffle and an auction featuring “some very interesting items”.
Event Details
Title: Barking Fundraising Dinner with James Cleverly MP and Andrew Sharpe OBE
Date: Thursday 25 October 2018
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Venue: Wood Oven BBQ Barking, 25 Station Parade, Barking, IG11 8ED
Admission and info: price per person including dinner is £25. The dress code is smart.
Tickets: buy online from Eventbrite
Photo above, left: James Cleverly (official Parliament portrait © Chris McAndrew, CC by SA 3.0) and Shaun Bailey (courtesy of Conservative Party) – keynote guests at Barking Conservative Association Fundraising Dinner on 25 Oct. 2018
