2019
Note from the Chairman Dear Members, Dear Friends,
After a highly anticipated and successful AGM, it is now time to reflect upon the Values of the British Italian Conservatives. The main purpose of the BIC Group is to raise funds for the party, and for the local community to work closely with their local constituency. Additionally, the Group aims to set up a study group and to give expression to ideas and views on Conservative policy. For this reason, in the following document, you will be able to find details of a proposition I have in composing the BIC memberships, its Mission, Vision, and Value. I look forward to seeing you at many developing British Italian Conservatives Group events and initiatives in the future. Best regards, Dr Maurizio Bragagni MBA Chairman Tuesday April 9th, 2019
Mission Vision Values
To be a bridge between the Italian and British Communities.
British Italian Conservatives, be proud to be yourself, be both British and Italian Conservatives.
Conservative Values Responsible – personal responsibility and self-reliance. Pro-enterprise – living within our means, support for responsible free market economy. Pro-freedom – freedom of choice, liberty, free speech. Pro-defence – strong national defence, security, safety. Pro-justice – rule of law, justice. Pro-community – diversity, tolerance, inclusive, openness, international. Pro-opportunity – equality of opportunity for all, aspiration, empowerment, education, social mobility. Compassionate – prioritising the vulnerable, social justice, civic-minded. Pro-democracy – patriotism, limited government, pro-family, sovereignty, localism. Principled – fairness, integrity, pragmatism, respect. Forward-looking – support gradual change, stewardship of heritage and environment, supportive of innovation and technology.
The British Italian Conservatives
Esharelife is a charity foundation set up to aid some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
BIC Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
The Rt Hon Albeto Costa MP
The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
Dr Maurizio Bragagni
The Rt Hon Mark Field MP
Minister Alessandro Motta
Shaun Bailey MP
Dott Leonardo Simonelli
Honorary Consul Marco Boldini
08
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Chairman’s Speech
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Principal Patron of BIC -The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP As the primary patron, BIC are thankful for all his support, appreciate the works and close relations he has formed with Italians and Europeans. Thank you for joining us this evening, we look forward to hearing what I’m sure will be a fantastic speech. Italian Ambassador to the UK- HE Raffaele Trombetta Unfortunately the Ambassador could not make it this evening due to a last minute change in events, but has kindly arranged for Minister Alessandro Motta to represent him. We would like to welcome Alessandro this evening and thank you for joining us.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved together.”
Consulate General in London HE Marco Villani, and the Honorary Consul in Liverpool, Marco Boldini Thank you both for being here, the relationship with the Ambassador and ConMr President, Rt Hon Members of the Parliament, Your Excellencies, sulates is evidence of the strong unity of Italian relationships. Unity within the Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to join you all today at our Annual General Meeting. common heart. I am grateful to share the same passion and values, and interIt is thanks to you, our group has come a very long way in a short space of time. ests in the same goals, to make sure that the Italian and British community can grow and remain in friendship together. I am so proud of what we have achieved together.
The British Italian Conservatives Group is the result of an enormous collective effort and a commitment to work together which began in 2014. Today we have a national Group that is very relevant for the times we are living in. Without your commitment, enthusiasm and determination, we couldn’t have come this far. Each and everyone of you are welcome to join BIC. If you have not already joined, the membership fee is a minimum of £25 a year.
Thank you to The Rt Hon Mark Field MP, a great companion of the BIC. We really appreciate his strong support and friendship over the years, excited for his speech, and are delighted for him to be here with us on this special evening. The Rt Hon Sir John Hayes MP John is a wonderful man, he has always supported us, we thank him for being here with us this evening. Shaun Bailey MP It has been a pleasure to watch Shaun’s campaign, the BIC are behind him and offer our utmost support.
Before we start with the meeting, there are a few names I would like to mention: The Prime Minister- The Rt Hon Theresa MP The Prime Minister has always shown great encouragement and recognition for the British Italian Conservatives. We pass our heartfelt thanks and support in the great works she continues to do for our country. President of the British Italian Conservatives - The Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP Thank you Alberto for the important battle faced, fighting for the rights of all Europeans, and us all. We are thankful for his continued support, proud to have Alberto as our President, and thank him for hosting the AGM.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce Thanks to President Leonardo Simonelli, Alessandro Belluzzo and all at the Chamber of Commerce for their continued support and friendship. To the BIC Patrons I would like to thank all of our Patrons, it is a remarkable honour to have you as patrons of the British Italian Conservatives. We cannot thank you enough for
09
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
all you have done and will continue to do for the association.
A special thanks go to Christian Vinante Giovannini, the ‘true north’ and guiding star of the Italian Conservatives. Christian has built the Group from the ground up, he’s been the power-house behind all the events of the group and one of the most active members of the Party. I am also pleased to announce that Christian has been selected for the Great London Assembly. We really appreciate his hard work for Italian & British community, and the great job he is doing as the Executive Director of BIC.
Could you please give a round of applause to: The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP The Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP Robert Courts MP Zac Goldsmith MP Dominic Johnson Lord Leigh of Hurley Dr Tania Mathias Joe Ricotta Cllr Mario Creatura Kemi Badenoch MP The Rt Hon Mark Field MP And the newly announced Patrons: Lord Nicholas True CBE Vicky Ford MP
A special thanks to Baroness Anne Jenkin, founder of Women2Win. The British Italian Conservatives embrace the value of this association, and take into consideration the common values that we share. For this reason, we are going to ask the AGM to increase the number of the Executive Committee and make sure those additional members will be a majority of women. So, how did we get here? Well, the main purpose of the British Italian Conservative Group is to raise funds for the party, and for the local community so that they can work closely with their local constituency.
To the BIC Founders Thanks to the BIC founders, Mustafa Mohammed, Simon Blagden, Ronel Lehmann, Selva Pankaj, Christian Vinante, Domenic Melti, Stefania Signorelli and More than that, we wanted to set up a study group to offer insights, new Marcio Borlenghi Fasano. ideas and our views on Conservative policy. It is thanks to you that we are all here today. Your commitment, enthusiasm and determination to make this work is to be commended. We are here to support the Conservative Party and assist with its campaigns. In this way we can ensure involvement and clearly demonstrate how invested To the Executive Committee Members we are in the Party’s success and see our members and local communities The Rt Hon Alberto Costa, Simon Blagden, Sara Gezdari, Domenico Melti, Ste- enjoy the benefits of organised and inspired partner-working. fania Signorelli, Clare Ambrosino, Marcio Borlenghi Fasano, Massimo Segalla The objective, role and function of the Group is to promote the Conservative and James Cockram. Party values within the British Italian community. That hasn’t changed. Thank you for your hardwork and dedication to BIC. It is truly appreciated and recognised by everyone involved. We remain active supporters of local and national candidates, on-hand to campaign alongside local candidates and organise events to raise funds for Finally I would like to give a special thanks to: the Conservative Party. Simon Blagden- Vice Chairman of BIC Ronel Lehmann Today, as promised, we will discuss many important elements of the future development of the Group. Professor Nadey Hakim Helen Grant MP We need to look at how we will participate at the Conservative Party ConferMyles Stacey ence, and talk about arranging other events throughout the year. James Cockram 10
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Mr Simon Blagden CBE
Mr Zac Goldsmith MP
Professor Nadey Hakim
Lord Nicholas True CBE
Baroness Anne Jenkin
Mr Massimo Segalla
11
Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini
Ms Sara Gezdari
Mr Ronel Lehmann
Dr Marcio Borlenghi Fasano
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
We look forward to seeing you at many developing British Italian Conservative events and initiatives in the future! 2018 has been eventful for us, to say the least, and we look forward to 2019 when a new chapter will open before us where we expect to go above and beyond. Welcome everyone to the British Italian Conservative Group! Now, I would like to invite The Rt Hon Greg Clark and our Patrons and address some words to the group. Thank you. Dr Maurizio Bragagni MBA Chairman British Italian Conservatives Tuesday 12th March 2019
12
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC AGM in Motion
Guests’ and Patrons’ Speeches
Esharelife is a charity foundation set up to aid some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC President The Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP
The Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP President of BIC
“We’re very lucky to live in a free country where in a free parliament, parliamentarians without fear or favour can say what they want which reflects their judgment on what is best for our country and their constituencies as well as our people.”
It’s a pleasure as ever Maurizio to have you chair this evening’s meeting. Thank you very much Chairman for all the support that you have been giving to the Conservatives and friends of Italy. Without your help and your support this organization simply wouldn’t exist. So, I think before I say anything I would just like us all to give a round of applause to Mr Maurizio Bragagni of Tratos. And may I also add by saying chairman to the individuals that you’ve identified. My colleagues from the House of Commons Greg Clarke and Zac Goldsmith along with all the other patrons, MPs that you’ve mentioned that are lucky enough actually to have on board the Conservative Friends of Italy. I would also like to add my thanks to the individuals and members of the committee who do such a sterling effort in keeping the committee together. Now chairman it is a pleasure to be here on one of the most historical nights in British parliamentary history. I don’t want to ‘over egg the pudding’ I don’t want to exaggerate, but tonight is really a momentous night for us in the House of Commons because tonight the Prime Minister is seeking that final approval for her deal. It is a deal that I supported in January. It’s a deal that most of my conservative colleagues supported in January. But let me say to those colleagues that did not support the deal I respect their view. We’re very lucky to live in a free country where in a free parliament, parliamentarians without fear or favour can say what they want which reflects their judg17
ment on what is best for our country and their constituencies as well as our people. So whatever the result tonight fellow Italians, family and friends you are here to witness this momentous night. Not that I’m biased in favor of Italians of course. But let me be clear my parents like many of you, were immigrants to the United Kingdom. They came in the 1960s. They came here to work. And they have given, like many of you, and like many of your friends an enormous amount to the United Kingdom. And my message is this; Through the good work that the Conservative Friends of Italy have done and continue to do, and through the good work that they will do in the future, we as British and as Italians can be proud of not just calling the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland our home but we can do more than that, we can call it the most special place to live work study and retire in the world. We can say that proudly with Italian heritage and that’s something that I as a MP have been immensely proud of to be able to stand up as the first ever Conservative MP of economic Italian migrant background. So, whatever the outcome tonight, Italians will continue to be welcomed here in the UK because they are so valuable to the culture, to the economy and to the well-being of this nation. I cannot even begin to imagine what we would do without Italians like my parents, like me, like Maurizio and like all of you who are contributing.
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Principal Patron of BIC The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP Principal Patron of BIC
“One of the warmest relationships that we have in business are with Italian background businesses trading successfully in Britain and around the world - they are of huge importance.”
It is wonderful to be here, and I just want to say a huge thank you to you for are also people who are in business - who run businesses who employ people in everything that you do as conservatives. This is the British Itaian Conservatives many cases who have founded businesses that have gone on to be successful and I know that in your communities up and dow the country you work hard, and have created many jobs for people right across the country. And it’s always you take the message out, you get people like Zach and Alberto and me elected been my pleasure in my post as business secretary to have such cordial relayou’re going to get Shaun Bailey elected too I know as the next Conservative tionships with the business community. Mayor of London. Maurizio mentioned the British Italian Chamber of Commerce. Again, one of the warmest relationships that we have in business are with Italian background It really is vital it is so important that in every part of the country that we are businesses trading successfully in Britain and around the world - they are of vigorous we campaign we take the message out and through all of the commu- huge importance. It’s also the case that when Alberto described that his parnities that you’re part of you do that with great energy. And one of the things ents came here for economic reasons, for business reasons, we know that the that I know you do, and Maurizio is a good example of it and in many ways motivation, the reason that we’re lucky enough to have such a strong Italian spearheads the efforts. You help us across the country in raising funds to fight community in this country is partly because of the sense of entrepreneurship, our campaigns and that is very important as well. When we get Shaun elected it the sense of adventure and the sense of self-determination that people over will be on the back of campaigning that is done right across London. Your leaf- generations have had and brought that spirit to Britain and every community in let after leaflet that is going out in every letterbox multiple times in London. I the UK has benefited from that. And at various points in the past we’ve been know the generosity that this group displays as a group and as individuals and proud that we have been a place across the world that has welcomed those associations across the country is really formidable and we’re so grateful for with the zeal, with the entrepreneurial spirit with good ideas. At times when everything you do as part of that. other countries have had governments that have suppressed that and that have So, thank you for being amongst the most energetic the most enthusiastic and stood against it and haven’t encouraged it it’s part of our British tradition. It’s most infectious with your enthusiasm and for being part of our conservative part of our conservative tradition and I think it finds very strong expression in family - we’re very grateful for that. I’m also conscious that many people here the Italian community. 19
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
“One of the warmest relationships that we have in business are with Italian background businesses trading successfully in Britain and around the world - they are of huge importance.”
This is as Alberto and Maurizio said, a historic night for our country and the debates are happening right now, and some of us will need to go back to participate and to vote in a few moments time. These are debates that will shape the future not just of our country but of course of the whole of Europe. We as Maurizio and Alberto have mentioned, those of us with the privilege of standing up here on the panel have been on different sides of that debate and not everyone in the room will have the same views. But one of the things that I think we’ve been able to count on from the British Italian community especially from British Italian Conservatives is to have guidance, is to have advice, is to have the experience, that you brought to bear to our debates, and they’ve been better informed as a result. I’m proud and I know that you are that Alberto had great success in bringing to the house, based on his experience and his knowledge of this community, an amendment that will provide substantial reassurance to the anxieties that many have had. Finally before I allow others to speak. I just wanted to look forward to a time I hope not far ahead of us when we’ve resolved this great debate as to the terms of our future relationship with the European Union and what will dominate our discussions both in the chamber of the House of Commons and on the airwaves nationally, is the opportunities between us for what is I think one of the most exciting times that there’s ever been in the history of business and commerce and industry around the world. Sometimes it’s described as the fourth industrial revolution but changes in technology whether that’s artificial intelligence the analysis of data that is sweep-
ing every single industry in every country in the world you know that from your business careers. The opportunities that we have from a population that is living longer than was ever previously imagined and gives opportunities for us to serve them in different ways, requires medical breakthroughs to make sure that those extra years are healthy and enjoyable years. Again, a challenge and an opportunity for the UK for Italy and every country around the world. The change in the way that we generate and deploy our energy is something in which Zac Goldsmith is a great expert, a revolution sweeping the whole world. And in these areas Britain and Italy have particular strengths and the collaboration that we have. I would just make mention of our academic collaboration between the finest universities in Italy and our great universities in this country. Those ties that bind us are going to be particularly important and a source of strength in the years to come as we depend on innovation and breakthroughs in technology. It is the case that most innovation at least the best innovation is done collaboratively between people from different backgrounds different cultures. I’ve had the great pleasure of going to the Nobel Prize ceremony where every year the most prestigious scientific prizes in the world are awarded to our greatest scientists and innovators. It used to be the case that they were awarded typically to individual geniuses and this is how it was for many years a particular celebrated individual would walk up to the stage and take the laws. It’s very different now. If you look at the list of Nobel Prize winners almost every year, almost every single Nobel Prize is awarded not to an individual but to a team.
20
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
21
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Patron of BIC Mr Zac Goldsmith MP
Zac Goldsmith MP Patron of BIC
“This is a magical organisation. I used to look forward to the campaign days with the Italian Conservative association here.”
It is wonderful to be here. I’m looking around the room and at so many people here who I have known for many years and some I have only known recently. But this room is packed with friends. We have fine Italian specimens, and this is a room actually full of people to whom I personally am hugely indebted for reasons that you will know well. On that note I would like to say hello to Shaun Bailey, a great man - I was once the future mayor of London and you are going to be the next major of London.
Creating this organisation pretty much out of nothing it was an idea and it has grown to become the closest friend of the Conservative Party - one of our great affiliate groups is one of two or three in fact, if we’re honest, organizations which I think every conservative candidate knows they need to suck up to. It’s wonderful to be here next to Alberto as well. Alberto is remarkably coy about his achievements but actually it’s not that many government ministers who resign or government officials know they call you an official whatever your title was who resigned on principle and he did, and he resigned on a really imI want to tell him in your presence that during the course of what will be occa- portant principle. sionally be wonderful will often be a miserable experience of campaigning night and day 18, 19, 20 hours a day. The highlight, and I can tell you this with absolute And I would say, and Shaun will know this I’m sure he already knows this, but certainty, the highlight will be your campaigns with many of the people here in he’ll know this during the course of the campaign. The very notion of London, this room. This is a magical organization. the greatest city in the world without its Italian population, is unimaginable. It I used to look forward to the campaign days with the Italian Conservative asso- would be stripped of its soul. ciation here. And Maurizio I’m grateful to you beyond measure for what you did for my campaign for what you’ve done for our party. More generally for having In my view and I think what Alberto has done is to provide reassurance that created this organization along with Chris. this incredibly valuable part of our community, that whatever happens tonight 23
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
“Most people have chosen to make this country their home and it’s so much not just in terms of colour and vibrancy but in terms of our economic past present and future. And that’s you here in this room.”
whatever happens with Brexit, I am less optimistic than either of your previous any way be jeopardizing the relationship we have between this country. speakers I have to say I think tonight is going to be the beginning of a really Most people have chosen to make this country their home and it’s so much not messy episode in our country’s history. I think things are looking pretty bleak. just in terms of colour and vibrancy but in terms of our economic past present I have to say I came here this morning with a spring in my step. I thought we and future. And that’s you here in this room. finally might have achieved it. I was looking at Twitter and thinking you know So, I’m really grateful for what you have done, and I take my hat off and salute we’re going to do this. We’re going to have a deal and we’re going to leave on you actually for the integrity that you’ve shown. It’s a rare thing in politics and I the twenty ninth and it’s gonna be a kind and civilized and proper deal - one in think you would have seen from the reaction that you got that people really rewhich the country could have total confidence. spect that. I know the people in this room here today will appreciate what you did as much And as you know over the course of the next two hours that confidence has as I did. On that note thank you so much for what you’ve done for me. I look been shattered. And it looks like the deal is not going to go through Parliament forward to campaigning alongside you on behalf of Shaun. Getting him over the in the next 45 minutes. I may be wrong, but it seems that way. line making him the next mayor of London, the Italian community. This is a difficult time in our history, and I think what Alberto has done is to ensure that whatever Brexit we leave on whatever terms we leave we will not in 24
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
25
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
The Rt Hon Mark Field MP
The Rt Hon Mark Field MP Guest Speaker
“I’m very sorry that we’re leaving the European Union but equally sometimes politics has to be the art of possible.”
Thank you very much all of you for coming to my constituency I know a few of you are locals but as you may know I’ve been the MP here for the last 18 years and it’s under the auspices of our local association with James our agent but know that this Italian conservative organization has gone from strength to strength. And of course, Chris has been the driving force of this great organization. Let me say a few words if I may.
we are now going to reach and that I’m afraid it is a rather bleak prospect as Zac Goldsmith pointed out.
I’m only sorry that we’re not going to be able to do that straightforwardly as we would like tonight. That means clearly tomorrow we will have to vote against no deal because that would be a calamity for this country; we are not prepared for such a thing and it means opening up that the whole situation. And I regret that in a way. I’m someone who has put the interests of the country and the party first in voting in favor. Unfortunately, many of those Brexiteers have now brought us to this point that
And I just wanted to say that for many of you there is disappointment I’m sure that we are leaving the European Union. For some of your friends and relatives and others in the Italian community there will be a worry about how welcome you are going to be. I think it is fairly obvious not just here in the centre of London, but I hope throughout the country, there is a great respect for the Italian community. I am absolutely sure that your rights will be maintained. And I very much hope many of you will wish to stay in this country and make the ongoing
I have been a member of parliament and a member of the government last year as a foreign and Commonwealth Office minister. Over the last two days I’ve been in Paris at the OECD - the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - where we work very closely amongst 36 different countries inI mean obviously it would be remiss of me not to say something a little bit about cluding of course the Italians and I saw the Italian ambassador to the ECB yeswhere we’re at on the European Union. Many of you all know I was one of the terday amongst others as we were discussing expansion plans in Southeast staunchest remainders in my heart. I’m very sorry that we’re leaving the Euro- Asia. This is a very important organisation indeed. You look at the UN and you pean Union but equally sometimes politics has to be the art of possible. The look at the World Bank, the IMF and there are other organisations where Britpeople have made up their mind - two and a half years ago and we need to find ain’s voice I think will be louder. We will need to be louder because we will need a way. to make our presence felt on the international stage in a more profound way.
27
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
“ It was always instilled in me as I was growing up that politics was too important to be left to someone else.”
contribution you do, not least as the very obvious living bridge between our two great nations. And obviously politics is always exciting In Italy. It’s rare to be so exciting here in the UK. You are used to your own political upheavals, but politics is important as you know.
I know that all of you not just as Italians but as conservatives will have an important role to play in that discussion as it takes place in the years that lie ahead.
I have to say it’s been a great joy for me to be not just the local MP for 18 years but in my time in the Foreign Office and before that and I’m looking here with I’ll tell you a little bit of my own story and it’s a story that I know will be replicat- Carlotta and Martha from my office. They were part of my team we had a great ed in a perhaps slightly different way for many of you. But I am half European as Italian team actually to serve the central office. When I for two years ran the Inwell as being half English and very proud of being English, but my late mother ternational Office for the party, and it was one of the ways that I became aware was German. She was part of Germany that is now Poland and she herself was a of just how vibrant our friendship groups were and must be maintained going refugee twice by the age of 15 in the immediate aftermath of the Second World forward. War - she was an ethnic German at the same place called Breslau in Poland. So, thank you all of you for being here for your vote of confidence in conservAnd it was always instilled in me as I was growing up that politics was too im- ative values which are very much enduring but also this a very importantly for portant to be left to someone else. And there are times of great upheaval when the bridge between our two countries. I wish I’d seen more of Italy - I have to there is a tendency for educated professional middle-class people to rather say whenever I go there it’s either to work in Rome or to holidays in Lake Como assume politics. I’m sure it has happened from time to time in Italy. Certainly, or in Venice. I have to say whenever I go, I always look forward to returning and there is a worry that is happening today here in the UK. I know that much can be said for all of you in all that you do in ensuring we keep that tremendous relationship forward. With all of the upheavals that we see, and I think all of us know that it is at Thank you for all of your support for candidates. I know Greg Clark is intensethose sorts of moments when the whole sense of a rules based international ly grateful for all of the work that goes on within his department as well. And I system is most in danger when we all need desperately to work together. very much look forward to seeing much more of you with a glass of good Chianti in hand - although a more sober and serious business this evening - I know And I think our values and values of liberty of democracy of believing in the that you also have a reputation for providing the very best parties on the Lonidea of free markets and of free trade these are values that will be even more don political scene which is of course why this is such a vibrant organization. important to extol going forward. Thank you. 28
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
29
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Mr Shaun Bailey
Shaun Bailey Guest Speaker
“The point is that they are there. This is it. This is a community. This is an organization that turns up.”
I’m going to try not to speak about Brexit. I’ll leave that to my Parliamentary colleagues. We’ve had enough of Brexit. Where I want to start really is about the Italian community in London and the welcome, I certainly extend to that community and all of London. I really want you to go back to your community and remember no matter what is being said, where the vote goes, where the country goes where it all ends, we love our Italians. We’ve always loved our Italians. We’ll have more Italians. We want Italians in London. You’re welcome here. And I just want to make sure that everybody understands this has never been about do we want our Italian community or not. The only debate is how many more of you can be squeezed into London. That’s how I see it. British Italian Conservatives is a very very very important notion as you walk around in London you decide to join the party you get involved you start to think well who are these people, what goes on, where do I connect. Who can I talk to? Where’s my politics represented? And what’s really important about British Italian Conservatives is that open welcome they give to everybody. It isn’t just about Italian Conservatives its about Conservatives in General. And you see that in the way they carry themselves. Every time I’ve been campaigning, and for those of you who don’t know, I’m currently on a tour of London effectively on my second circle in London. I don’t recall a Saturday or Sunday without at least someone from the British Italian
Conservatives willing to participate in the debate helping people locally campaign and to show us what it means to be a conservative. Because as I say to young people when I talk about politics and I talk about public life, it’s the most meaningful thing you can do for any belief you have is to turn up. And my experience of you all is turning around you see you - telling me what I should be doing next. The point is that they are there. This is it. This is a community. This is an organization that turns up. And what you find in politics, is that a lot of people make promises but very few deliver. Certainly, the way the British Italians did it for me personally I’ve loved it when you are around, the more the merrier. Because the amount of work you’ve done already is incredible. And I look forward to work with you in the future. I think the thing I also want to say is as part of the London community, the business you can provide, you’re part of London’s tapestry, people of culture. We enjoy that. We need that. We want that. That’s what makes London special. When someone said to me why are you running to be mayor of London. It’s because I said London cannot continue to go in the direction it is going. We need to change it around. What was interesting speaking to my Italian friends what you feel is the entrepreneurial spirit.
31
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
“When I leave here tonight, I remember I’ll always have you on my side and you must remember, I will always be on your side.”
As you may have noticed I’m a black person. And I’m also of descent from an immigrant group and to see immigrants come to this country integrate, celebrate and progress - it is very important and inspiring. It is what makes it seem possible to other people, to other communities. So, when you look at Italians and what they’ve done in London and how they progress and how evolved they are in public life at every level it is very important. It sends a message about what it is to be a Londoner and what possibility there is here and to see your community advance in this way. And that’s why when I think of British Italian Conservatives the first thing that springs to mind is, I will never be alone when I’m campaigning. On those days when it’s raining in some part of London I haven’t visited before. I know there will be an Italian by my side. And that’s really important. Because you are people that can carry our message, our conservative message. The values that we have. Back to your community and because your community is big and vibrant and wealthy, you can also give that message to other commu-
nities other immigrant communities and the wider British public about what it is to be a conservative in London. So, when someone says to me can we live in London of course we can. The likes of BIC by our side, we will get this done. For me this isn’t about party politics. It’s about the prosperity of families in London and it’s about a conservative value system that has family in the centre of that. And I find that easy to find when I speak with my Italian cousin. I just want to say this. Thank you for all the work you do. Thank you for the work you’re going to do in advance. It is organizations like yours with drive, passion, experience, entrepreneurial spirit, family at its heart, that means we can win London. When we’re with London it isn’t about party politics. It’s about the good of people trying to raise their businesses their families and live in London. And know that you will always be welcome here regardless of what people say because you’re such a welcoming community. You add so much. So, when I leave here tonight, I remember I’ll always have you on my side and you must remember I will always be on your side.
32
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
33
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Baroness Anne Jenkin
Baroness Anne Jenkin Guest Speaker
“ It matters because women’s life experiences are different. They’re not superior. They’re not inferior but they are different. And we have to have that difference better reflected.”
I’ve often felt that to be British is to be born with the golden lottery ticket of life but having spent six months of my life in Italy as a girl I know that to be Italian is to be the second place in the world. And if I wasn’t British, I would hope to be born Italian. You have more art and more flair in your little fingers that we, as a fighting nation having in our whole bodies.
So, there is still much to do, and I think all of us. Every country finds difficulty with getting more women into public life. It’s not a very easy place to be. We’ve seen how the Prime Minister is being battled every day. It’s a tough game.
But I do just ask any of you if you know any woman who you think has got what it takes if any of you in this room think you’ve got what it takes, we have a campaign at the moment - Ask her to stand. We had our international women’s day dinner last week with many of the con- A boy knows at about 7 that he’s going to make a wonderful MP. A woman waits servative friends’ groups. We celebrated International Women’s Day with Penny until she’s about 45 and then there’s a little bit “I’m not sure”. Mordaunt and a number of ambassadors and high commissioners. And it was So, if you do know anybody please send them our way because they would be the Italians who produced the beautiful flowers and flowers for every woman. I extremely welcome. know that you are a wonderfully romantic nation too. So, I just want to say that I run “Women2Win” and “Women2Win” is a campaign And even today people sometimes say well why does it matter. Why does it to get more women elected to parliament which I founded with the Prime Min- matter whether four out of five members of parliament are men? Why does ister in 2005 when the Conservative Party had 17 conservative women MPs at a it matter whether the labour party are at 45 percent? Well it matters because time when the Labour Party had 101. women’s life experiences are different. They’re not superior. They’re not inferior The Prime Minister was one of those. We’ve done much better. We have got to but they are different. And we have to have that difference better reflected. 67. Well unfortunately we’ve lost a couple actually, but we’ve done 64. So, thank you for inviting. But that is still only 20 percent of our parliamentary party. So, let me put it another way. Four out of five of our members of parliament and you’ve seen a lot of them here this evening, are men. Seventy nine percent are men. 35
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Deputy Chairman of BIC Mr Simon Blagden CBE
Simon Blagden CBE Deputy Chairman of BIC
“Our aims are very simple. It’s to bring British and Italian Conservatives together to celebrate what is good about both nations and to improve the relationships on every level - from a political level, a cultural level and a business level.” I’ll be very very brief because there’s not much more to say other than I guess I represent the British side of the British Italian conservatives in terms of our board. I’m very very proud to be deputy chairman. Our aims are very simple it’s to bring British and Italian Conservatives together to celebrate what is good about both nations and to improve the relationships on every level - from a political level, a cultural level and a business level. 37
So please spread the word. Everyone here this evening, bring anyone along to come and join us whether they’re British Italian or anything else. If you have an interest in the relationship between British and Italians, then come and join us. I’m immensely proud to be serving on the board. And I look forward too many many great events and many many great opportunities to collaborate together. Thank you.
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Minister Alessandro Motta
Minister Alessandro Motta
Guest Speaker
“It was a pleasure for me to realize how important the Italian community has been able to be also in a country like The United Kingdom.”
I’m very happy and proud to be here tonight. And of course, on behalf of Raf- of all the European citizens in particular those who have such an important and faele Trombetta who is coming back from a working Mission in Scotland tonight visible presence in this country. I’m very proud of the fact that being the protection of the rights of the Europeso could not make it unfortunately. an Citizen in Europe of Italian citizens in this country one of our priority during We have been since the beginning an embassy very close to this group. Actu- the two years of negotiation starting from the 2016 referendum, we as a country ally, I remember we met for the first-time last fall during the Euro gathering at have been able to make other countries follow us. Other countries that didn’t the party conference in Birmingham. It was for me the first experience, having have the structure and the organization of their community abroad capable of recently arrived, to be in contact with you, members of the British Italian Con- mobilizing people lobbying and arriving to the Parliament and the end of this servatives. It was a pleasure for me to realize how important the Italian commu- part has been reminded before what Alberto managed to do last week. We’re very proud of this of course is about the was on behalf of all European citizens nity has been able to be also in a country like The UK. I’d say that the relevance of this group is under our eyes. It is a growing rele- but for other Italian it was certainly a reason of great pride. vance. It started as a small gathering of activists and now evolving to a struc- So again, thank you very much for having us. We will follow Europe we’re very tured association with full credential from the Tory party. And we heard there close and we’ll try to support you as much as possible. You play a very imporare few groups structured like this. I would like to acknowledge the fact that the tant role actually also in helping us in strengthening the relations between our importance of these associations is also very much linked to the importance of countries. I can very easily make an example of how useful you are when we the Italian community here in the United Kingdom. As you know the Italians are have Italian delegation coming here in order to allow us to meet the right perthe fourth largest European group here in this country. And of course, the con- son without interlopers. You help us in order to explain Italy to this country not tributions that Italians have given to the economic development of this country only the UK to Italy but also the other way around. So, it is with great pleasure has been acknowledged by all of the speakers before. And it is undoubtedly for that I want to acknowledge this role. It is of our utmost interest that you continue in this in this role and that you strengthen your sides your good book always this reason that a great battle has been done. First of all, by MPs like Alberto Costa in order to recognize and protect the rights more. We will do our best in order to support you basically. 39
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Dott Leonardo Simonelli
Dott Leonardo Simonelli
Guest Speaker
“Maurizio now being involved in politics, I think the contribution is always exact and respects the tradition of Italian values.”
The important thing is really to deal with a lot of people and to try to see the quality of each of them. Maurizio joined the Italian community of London not long ago, at least for my standards and because I’ve been here for about 45 years. I had the pleasure of seeing him firstly in his environment - the industrial work because we must remember first of all that Maurizio is a great entrepreneur, a strength of Italy. He kept the traditional of the Family - the young generation - and I must say that that’s a very delicate moment in change of generation in a family company, but Maurizio went from a success to a bigger success. And what he did was expanding the company in the UK. He started from London because he came here and immediately realised the potential of having a base here. So, he bought the company then he started the network and gradually is moving the production but not only the production because you know the production is increasing so it’s not only, he’s up the production, but the technology and the innovation. This is the beginning but then whatever he touched he give a big contribution. I want to refer to the contribution that he gave to Italian Chamber of Commerce. 41
Together with Simon he organised something in Florence that was a great success. There together with Simon and Maurizio he went also to the conference of Prime Minister May in Florence. I think it was a very good beginning. I’m not sure about the end, but the beginning was really good. So, whatever he does. And especially now that he is also involved in politics, I think the contribution is always exact and respects the tradition of Italian values. Which are very important because our family values are great worker, great tradition and culture. I don’t know what Maurizio learnt from me, but I know that I learnt a lot from him, from his family. We went together to see the company in the middle of nowhere. But in the middle of nowhere there is a centre of technology and the very competitive Italian production. So, thanks for what you do for what you do for the Italian community and keep going. Thank you.
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
The Honorary Consul Marco Boldini
The Honorary Consul Marco Boldini Guest Speaker
“...the main goal of my concert to Liverpool is to try and reinforce the connection between Italy, Liverpool and London.”
Good evening everyone and thanks to the two regarding you for the kind invi- community was astonished by the fact that we have such an incredible wine in Italy which of course is something that I’m very proud of. tation. I come straight from Liverpool where I am my consulate. They send their regards of the Liverpool community. The Liverpool community is a very vibrant community as you can imagine but needs a little bit of fresh air especially from an Italian perspective. There are around 30,000/ 40,000 Italians between Liverpool in Manchester at the moment and the role of the consulate there is to try and reinvigorate Italian connections in Liverpool. We had the grand opening event on my consulate on Saturday and they brought some excellency from Italy, Franciacorta wines was an example and the Italian
But in a nutshell the main goal of my concert to Liverpool is to try and reinforce the connection between Italy, Liverpool and London. Brexit is a big topic for us in Liverpool. People are scared they don’t know exactly what will happen. Like many of us and they see the consulate as a point of contact for these moments. So, I just asked Maurizio Bragagni and Italian Conservatives to remember us in Liverpool. We are open to any suggestions and our doors are always open for any initiative that can help the Liverpool community get more exports through the Italian Conservative Association. Thank you very much.
43
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Executive Committee Member Ms Sara Gezadari
Sara Gezadari
Executive Committee Member Guest Speaker
“Sei di Bologna ma sei communista?”
Good evening everyone. My name is Sara Gezdari and I’m in the executive coun- I said from Bologna and then the second answer and the second question that cil of the British Italian Conservatives. we made was in Italian. Asking me “Sei di Bologna ma sei communista?” Which means “Are you from Bologna but are you a communist?” Because Bologna is It’s truly an honor to have Lord Nicholas True here this evening. He’s not only a very labour seated and that was really nice of you because all the tension went British Conservative politician and a very active member of the House of Lords away. but mostly he has been the leader of the Richmond council, the best leader that we have. Anyway as he loves Italy, he speaks fluently Italian. When I first met Lord Nicolas True it was during my Process election as a former So, we are very honored, and it is a privilege to have Lord Nicholas True as one candidate for the local elections and I cannot forget this first question. I was of the new patrons of the British Italian Conservatives. very anxious about it. And he asked me where I came from. 45
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Patron of BIC Lord Nicholas True CBE
Lord Nicholas True CBE Patron of BIC
“Conservatives believe that every person has the right to develop themselves to the greatest.”
Whatever happens however people vote there is a great family of people in this country and in your country of which I am very privileged to be a member of, who consider the great relationship and the great affection between our country, Great Britain and Italy to be one of the most fundamental, the deepest and in a strange way the most heartfelt of good relations between two countries in this continent of Europe. I have no doubt that that relationship will not only endure but deepen whatever the result of the crisis. The upcoming decision. I have been tremendously privileged to have been allowed to be a guest in Italy for 40 years. Now I have a residence there. After the earthquake of 1972 we bought a house and restored it there and ironically now after the terrible earthquakes of 2016 I find myself restoring our home again after that destruction and I’ve seen many circles of prosperity of concern of disaster and of success. But the one thing I’ve always drawn from the strength from the soil of Italy and from the people of Italy is that kindness. A sense of the will to want to do something, to create it. Which is why Italy has always been such a fantastic world leader in industry and creative arts and skills. This is something that whenever I go back to that beautiful country to whom I draw strength from I feel that there is at every level of society a willingness to help each other to want to create and to go forward that I don’t always see sadly anymore in this country. It’s a great privilege to me to be able to be invited here. I didn’t think my life would have been half what it has been and what I hope it will be. Indeed, some of my attitudes to the European Union being
formed by what I’ve seen happen in Italy. My life wouldn’t have been half of what it has been, if the friendship and the opportunity I’ve had to be a guest in that country and to learn from it. So, I thank you for your enormous, enormous honour that you do me and asking me to be a patron of this great organization and conservatism is about freedom. It’s about opportunity. It is about understanding it is not about categorizing people. Conservatives believe that every person has the right to develop themselves to the greatest. There is I think that I tire of conservatives being called, in your country, fascists or people on the right. I’m called an extremist wherever I go simply because I wear a blue label. That conservatives believe is that people should be given these conditions in which to develop their lives to the full not being told what to do by the state. That is something, a great philosophy, not an ideology it’s a way of looking like. And I think that we have that in common I’m sure in this room we have it in common across many countries and there is a great new battle in my view emerging in the world between a so-called liberalism that actually wants to tell people what to do and our conservative principle of freedom.
47
I hope that if ever I can be of help to anyone in this room. I hope I can give my tiny fragment of encouragement hope joy and opportunity that the privilege of being in the soil in the heart of Italy has done for me for the last 40 years.
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Executive Director of BIC Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini
Christian Vinante Giovannini Executive Director of BIC
“I am very proud of how far the British Italian Conservatives have come and to be part of a special milestone in the groups journey.” I am very pleased to be here this evening. I am very proud of how far the British Italian Conservatives have come and to be part of a special milestone in the groups journey. I just would to like to make remarks about the campaigning we have been doing in the last local elections. We had five Italian candidates including Sarah Gezadari she is now also one of the executives of the British Italian Conservative association. Then we have Claire Ambrosino who just send a text, unfortunately she couldn’t make it. She was a candidate in Hammersmith. Salvatore Murtas, who was candidate in Wandsworth. And Alessia Cesana was candidate in Croydon. Cllr Mario Creatura has been reelected as a councilor, also now a personal advisor of the PM Theresa May and will be elected as a member of candidate for the next General Elections. Mario sent a message that his family came to the UK a long time ago, the grandmother is still in Italy, he is very happy to be our patron, but couldn’t make it this evening. We are very proud to have him work full time in number 10 nearly every day with PM Theresa May.
Not only Alberto Costa MP has Italian origins but also Jack Lopresti we didn’t have a close connection, but we will support him for his next elections. We are helping James Hakney, in Enfield, Bush Hill, especially with Franca Buongiorno who was one of the last activists to join the organisation but worked very hard in the area. James Hakney sent a message, BIC have been helping more than everyone else for his election. We helped Margot Bright in Bayswater to the elections there, she won too, but couldn’t make it this evening. She was very happy to have us around to compete for her. Just to remind that we have Shaun Bailey here, we try to help him a lot. The campaign started in American style, very early (never happened in the UK to have a campaign start so early). We need to take … out of the city hall. 400,000 Europeans, most of Italians that can vote for Shaun to the next elections, so I hope that some of you will join us for the campaign. Now, I think we are going to see the vote on that screen. Everyone knows what happened, everyone has seen the numbers.
49
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC AGM attendees during the meeting
50
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC Chairman, Dr Bragagni and Vice Chair Mr Blagden with guests at the AGM
51
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
Second from Right: BIC Executive Comittee with Conservatives Abroad Chairman Heather Harper
52
BIC – Annual General Meeting 2019
BIC Executive Committee members with guests at the AGM
53
Conservatives Party Conference 2018
BIC Gala Reception - Mr Simon Blagden CBE, Lord Howard Leigh, Dr Rami Ranger, Mr Mustafa Mohammed, Dr Maurizio Bragagni & Mr Ronel Lehmann
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
BIC Gala Reception
BIC Patron Zac Goldsmith MP
BIC Executive Director Christian Vinante Giovannini at the Italian Conservative Stand
56
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini, Dr Maurizio Bragagni, Ms Franca Bongiorno & Mr Simon Blagden
Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP, Marco Varvello, Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini,
Rt Hon Sir John Hayes MP addresses the BIC Gala Reception
57
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Attendees and guests visit Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini at the Italian Conservatives Stand
58
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Dr Maurizio Bragagni, Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini, Ms Franca Bongiorno and Ms Stefania Signorelli joined by attendees at the Party Conference
59
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini joined by attendees at the Party Conference
60
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Ms Stefania Signorelli and Ms Franca Bongiorno with attendees at the Italian Conservatives stand
Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini addresses the BIC Gala Reception
61
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Ambassador Raffaele Trombetta with Dr Maurizio Bragagni, Mr Simon Blagden & Ms Rali Vasilovska
Mr Andres Arizkoretta, Mr Richard Garner, Dott Leonardo Simonelli & Dr Maurizio Bragagni
62
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Chairman of the Conservative Party Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP visits the Italian Conservatives Stand
Shaun Bailey joins the BIC Gala Reception
The Italian Ambassador to the UK Raffaele Trombetta addresses the BIC Gala Reception
63
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
BIC Gala Reception guests
64
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
BIC President Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP addresses the Gala Reception
BIC attend the Sister Party Reception
BIC Vice Chair Mr Simon Blagden addresses the Gala Reception
65
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Mr Blagden, Dr Bragagni, Mr Lehman, Mr Mohammed, Dr Ranger & Ms Vasilovska & guests
BIC Gala Reception joined by the Italian Ambassador to the UK HE Raffaele Trombetta
Head of Mission Minister Alessandro Motta
Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini, The Rt Hon Sir John Hayes MP, Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP and others
66
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
BIC at Conservative Party Conference Events
67
Conservatives Party Conferenece 2018
Conservative Party Conference Business Dinner with Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP
68
Conservatives BIC – Annual Party General Conferenece Meeting 2018 2019
BIC Gala Reception
69
More BIC Events 2017 – 2019
Italian Chamber of Commerce AGM 2018
Italian Conservatives 2017
72
Annual Political Carlton Dinner 2018
73
Italian Chamber of Commerce AGM 2018
74
Italian Chamber of Commerce AGM 2018
75
Conservatives Black and White Party 2019
76
Conservatives Black and White Party 2019
77
Italian Conservatives Campaign Outings
78
Italian Conservatives Campaign Outings
79
A special thanks to the Prime Minister Theresa May MP for the great support of the British Italian Conservatives.
Letters from the Prime Minister The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
83
Letters from the Prime Minister The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
85
The BIC Executive Committee
The Rt Hon Alberto Costa MP
President
Mr Domenico Meliti
Vice President
Mr James Cockram Secretary Treasurer Maeve Clare Ambrosino
Executive Member / Hammersmith Coordinator
Dr Marcio Borlenghi Fasano
Chief Strategist Marketing
Mr Massimo Segalla
Vice Chairman
Dr Maurizio Bragagni
Chairman
Mr Simon Blagden
Deputy Chairman
Ms Sara Gezdari
Executive Member / Richmond Coordinator
Ms Stefania Signorelli
Vice Chairman
and Mr Christian Vinante Giovannini
Executive Director
“I am so proud of what we have achieved together.� M. Bragagni
britishitalianconservatives.org
@BIConservatives
@BritishItalianConservativesAssociation
