News Release

5th March 2008

CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS OF AMERICA

David Cameron has agreed to be President and William Hague Vice President of a new national Conservative Party Group initiated by Michael Fabricant: Conservative Friends of America.

The CFA has been formed following meetings in Lichfield and Westminster called by officials of the US State Department with Michael Fabricant who has recently taken political groups to the US, has presented bills in the House of Commons fostering the UK-US alliance, and who was educated for a period in California and Massachusetts.

"We came to the conclusion that with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can no longer take for granted the 'special relationship' that has endured between the UK and the United States" says Michael. "Like any successful relationship, you have to work at it. We have therefore decided to establish a Conservative Friends of America whose stated aim is 'To promote friendship and mutual understanding between the Conservative Party and the people and government of the United States of America'. I am delighted that David Cameron and William Hague have agreed to be CFA's President and Vice President respectively. Patrons of the Group include Michael Howard and former Foreign Secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

"Initially, CFA will only be open to Conservative Parliamentarians in both Houses and the European Parliament though we hope to expand membership to Party supporters in 2009. Meetings will be held in the Houses of Parliament with key players in the US political scene and government and we are hoping for a lively and informed exchange of views" Michael adds.