Key Speaker Categories
Speakers specializing in the area of Reform
The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP is Member of Parliament for Blackburn, having previously served in successive senior Cabinet positions in Labour governments from 1997 through to 2010
Jack Straw is one of the most experienced British and European politicians. During his long career including continuous Cabinet-level roles, he has taken a leading part in many momentous political decisions in both national and international politics.
He has a reputation for clear thinking and professional, pragmatic good sense.
After a prominent radical role in national student politics in the 1960s, he qualified and worked as a barrister, did three years as an advisor to two Cabinet Ministers (Barbara Castle, and Peter Shore), and was then on Granada TV’s flagship “WORLD IN ACTION” programme. He was a London borough councillor, and Deputy Leaders of the Inner London Education Authority.
He first entered Parliament as a Labour MP representing Blackburn in 1979. He had a number of Shadow Cabinet roles before becoming Home Secretary after the Labour Party’s 1997 election victory, and then Foreign Secretary in 2001 and Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal in 2006. He served as Lord High Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from 2007 until 2010.
Now again in Opposition, Jack Straw continues to play a leading role in national politics, on home and foreign policy, and not least in issues involving the UK’s Muslim population (his constituency Blackburn has a sizeable Muslim community). His deft personal style combines with his immense domestic and foreign policy insight (he was closely involved in key decisions before and after the intervention in Iraq) to make him a formidable and fascinating expert speaker.
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After three decades in Parliament and successive Cabinet positions, Jack Straw is one of the most experienced and insightful British and international political figures.
Jack Straw read law at Leeds University and in the 1960s became a national student leader known for radical positions, to the point of being described by the Foreign Office as a “troublemaker acting with malice aforethought” for his political activity involving Chile. After qualifying as a barrister he had various media roles and entered Parliament in 1979 as the MP for Blackburn. He was Shadow spokesman on Education, then Environment and Shadow Home Secretary before being appointed Home Secretary after the Labour Party won the 1997 general election.
His time as Home Secretary had its fair share of controversies (including new measures to increase police powers to deal with suspected terrorists) but also saw the European Convention in Human Rights incorporated into British law.
Appointed Foreign Secretary in 2001, he soon played a leading role in the dramatic and difficult foreign policy problems arising from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and then the interventions in Afghanistan and then Iraq. He publicly defended these decisions, although later in January 2010 he told the Iraq Inquiry in London that the 2003 decision to go to war “had haunted him”. In 2006 he was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal with responsibility for parliamentary reform. He returned to the Opposition benches after Labour lost the 2010 general elections
Jack Straw has attracted publicity for some of his policy positions concerning Muslim issues, not least his call in 2006 for Muslim women not to wear the full veil: “I felt uncomfortable about talking to someone ‘face-to-face’ whom I could not see”. His close relations with his very diverse Blackburn constituency (including his position as honorary vice president of Blackburn Rovers football club) mean that he has given a lot of thought to sensitive community relations issues in a modern democracy. In 2009 on the BBC’s Question Time TV programme he was a member of the panel which included British National Party leader Nick Griffin.
Although often criticized for his firm approach to a number of civil liberties questions concerning suspected terrorists and then his high-profile role in supporting the Iraq intervention, Jack Straw remains a popular figure in the UK and Europe, not least for his wry sense of humour: as Home Secretary he joked that his large department was “full of civil servants working diligently on projects that might ruin my career”.
His disarmingly understated, professional style as well as his formidable intellect and practical experience in so many policy areas give him a unique profile, not only in the UK and European Union but also at the international level. Few active politicians today match his insight and breadth of senior policy knowledge. He has many striking personal anecdotes and thoughtful examples of what works in politics – and what does not.
FORMER ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE
Tarique Ghaffur spent over three decades in UK policing diligently and passionately working towards making communities safe within Greater Manchester, Leicestershire and London. He found it a personal honour to lead thousands of dedicated and skilled police officers and detectives dealing with community reassurance, investigations, law enforcement, counter terrorism and global security issues.
Tarique made history by becoming the highest ranking Asian and Muslim Police Officer in United Kingdom for which he received several high achievement awards.
Tarique Ghaffur has a BA (Hons) in Public Administration, MA in Criminology, Honary doctorates in Law and Criminal Justice Degrees from Manchester Metropolitan, Leicester and East London Universities. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal (QPM) in and in Commander of British Empire (CBE).
Tarique is a graduate of FBI Academy, veteran of several overseas assignments, and countless international advisory presentations.
A unique combination of recognised role model, an operational leader and all round `hands on’ and `individual` practitioner makes Tarique a unique speaker on professional issues related to leadership, crises response, policing, community dynamics and race relations. He intelligently uses a mixture of real life experiences, stories, case studies and humour to put across his material and often tests conventional thinking by being forthright and controversial on emotive and serious subjects thereby promoting learning. Tarique regularly writes articles on security related matters which are published within authoritative publications. His recent article on Airport Security was published within the Huffington Post.
Career
Tarique Ghaffur joined Greater Manchester Police in 1974 and worked in CID, undercover and uniform roles up to the rank of Chief Inspector in inner city areas including Salford and Moss Side. He led a goodwill mission to India and was commended for his work to tackle street robberies, public disorder and crime investigations.
In 1989 he transferred to Leicestershire Constabulary, where as a Superintendent and then Chief Superintendent, Tarique Ghaffur gained experience in both operational commands in Loughborough and Leicester City, as well as heading a major force re-organisation to implement community based policing. He graduated from FBI Academy, Quantico and was part of team that inspected Jamaica Constabulary Force.
In 1996, Tarique transferred to Lancashire Constabulary as Assistant Chief Constable where he was appointed head of operational policing for the force and for a short period was also responsible for Human Resources. Whilst in Lancashire, Tarique Ghaffur headed a major anti-terrorist operation in relation to the Blackpool Labour Party Conference. He also led a major corruption enquiry into a public organisation.
In 1998 Tarique was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable and worked at the Home Office Police Technology Organisation as operational adviser to develop technology for Policing.
In 1999, Tarique Ghaffur was selected to be a Deputy Assistant Commissioner and transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service. He initially assumed command of territorial policing in South London and in 2000 was appointed as the Commander of Westminster Borough (3,500 staff) with massive responsibility for the government security zone, demonstrations and public events including Nottinghill Carnival and New Year’s Eve celebrations. His innovative leadership made major impact on reducing overall crime in the City of Westminster.
Tarique Ghaffur was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 2001 and took command of the Policy, Review and Standards Directorate. Amongst a broad portfolio, Tarique Ghaffur worked closely with senior criminal justice partner Heads in London and nationally to formulate an effective and collaborative partnership. He put in place innovative solutions to improve partnership between the Police and Private Sector.
In November 2002, Tarique Ghaffur set up the Specialist Crime Directorate (3200 detectives), to provide a distinct response to tackling all aspects of serious and organised crime in London, including homicide, drugs and gun crime. He was responsible for the institution successful innovative programmes to tackle organised crime around such issues as drugs, human trafficking, Heathrow Airport and serious fraud. He also developed Operational Quadrant to build confidence in South Asian communities in London through effective law enforcement and community engagement.
Tarique Ghaffur has overseen a number of high profile investigations, including the Damilola Taylor and Victoria Climbié cases. In 2004, Tarique Ghaffur carried out a comprehensive crosscutting review of race and diversity within the MPS and played a major part in supporting casualty recovery, investigations and building Community relations after 7 July bombings in London.
Until September 2008, Tarique Ghaffur was responsible for Central Operations (7,000 staff) delivering ‘Capital City Policing’ and `security’ around policing of Airports, Diplomatic missions, security of State buildings. He was also responsible for firearms, public order, traffic, communications and contingency planning. His officers planned for and dealt with over 5000 public events (football, cricket, rugby, concerts, carnivals, New Years Eve celebrations, royal visits, state occasions, demonstrations). Tarique led in co-ordinating the aftermath of foiled terrorist attacks in central London in 2006.
Also, he was the Operational Co-ordinator Lead for the 2012 Olympics for which he has produced a comprehensive and holistic security and safety strategy to protect London and UK during 2012 Olympics. In 2008 he visited the Olympic Games in Beijing and produced an authoritative lessons learnt report. In 2007, He visited India with Mayor of London as one of London’s Ambassadors.
Through over 30 years of policing allied to his personal life, Tarique Ghaffur has created a real sense of proportion around vulnerable communities. He has become recognised as a positive role model, resulting in his receipt of a number of community awards from all sections of the community and high profile public profile on Race Issues within the Police Service. He is well known in South Asia, Middle East and Africa and has become an expert on protecting and securing major cities from terrorist attacks and major emergencies.
Tarique Ghaffur has a BA (Hons) in Public Administration, an MA in Criminology and three honorary doctorates from Universities of Leicester, Manchester Metropolitan and East London. He has attended the International FBI course in the USA and been awarded a Certificate in Criminal Justice Education (University of Virginia). In 2001 Tarique Ghaffur received the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) and in June 2004 was awarded the CBE (Commander of British Empire) by Her Majesty the Queen.
Tarique Ghaffur has written a number of influential articles on policing and communities, as well as delivering a considerable number of international, national and local presentations on a range of policing issues including changing nature of serious and organised crime, global security and terrorism. Tarique Ghaffur has a strong interest in Asian music and sports – particularly squash – where he has won numerous awards and represented the police service at the national level.
Tarique Ghaffur retired from the Police Service in November 2008 and has since set up a Foundation to promote shared responsibility for security and safety amongst vulnerable communities in UK. He is also a Chairman of Community Safety Development Global Limited which provides innovative security knowledge, solutions and training.
Ian MacFadyen is a respected consultant, coach and commentator. He has advised governments in the UK and overseas, coached senior public officials, and commented in print and television on public services, reform and the Budget.
His public service career finished in Namibia, advising the government, and South Africa, helping design a poverty relief programme.
He set out to be a lawyer and volunteered in a law centre, appearing at the Old Bailey. But, he was engrossed in advising ministers by the time he got the degree. He went on to work closely with government lawyers and advise ministers on employment protection and other matters while working on policy in the Prime Minister’s Efficiency Unit in the Cabinet Office.
He brought to that work direct experience of commissioning health services in County Durham and having to justify decisions face to face with the public. His audiences ranged from several hundred to a single person. He won many people over and replaced a decade of animosity with cooperation. Earlier he advised on artificial limb services, hospitals, addictions, medicines, delinquency and manpower in the Department of Health and Social Security. He began by assessing benefits.
In Luton he founded a battered wives refuge. In east London, he was a Liberal council candidate. In Leeds in 2010, he is chair of the Liberal Democrats’ city-wide campaign group.
He was on the management committee of a charity for young homeless people in London. In east London, he was a successful chair of governors at a popular multi-ethnic, multi-faith school. Currently he is an elder and trustee of a church charity in Leeds.
Welsh and Scots by background, brought up in England and internationalist in outlook, his talks, writing, consultancy, coaching and workshops, draw on local and global references. With amusing anecdotes and quotations from a wide range of sources including Calgacus and the Beatles he shares his deep understanding of politics, current affairs, government, leadership, the public sector and reform. His style is relaxed. Successes include persuading a political commissar outsourcing could advance the revolution, winning over trades unions and persuading a most senior government figure to change his mind.
Mark Oaten was Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Winchester for 13 years and at one time considered favourite for party leadership. He is a recognised leading expert on the subject of Coalition governments- his book Coalitions was first published in 2007.
Oaten now lectures and advises a wide range of clients on the practical workings of successful coalitions.
He is currently a member of the Council of Europe representing the UK. He is a Board member of the British Healthcare Trade Association, Alcohol Concern, Mental Health Matters, the prison charity Unlock, the Council for Administration and a Director of the Charity Finance Directors Group.
Mark lectures at Wroxton College in Oxford and provides commentary and reviews for Sky and BBC Television.
During his time in parliament he was Chairman of the Liberal Democrats, Shadow Home Secretary and a member of the Business Select Committee.
After many years in high-level diplomacy Charles Crawford has a unique profile as an imaginative, dynamic and even provocative speaker who has addressed audiences large and small in English, Polish and Serbian
After an Honours degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University he qualified as a Barrister before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
From 1985-87 Charles served as Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe’s official Speechwriter, contributing ideas/language for speeches by the Foreign Secretary (major set-piece speeches, Parliamentary debates and less formal after-dinner remarks)
His first job on joining the FCO in 1979 was to head the Indonesia Section, followed by his first posting, to communist post-Tito Yugoslavia. He returned to London in 1984 and after a year on the Aviation Desk was appointed FCO Speech-writer. He was posted to South Africa in 1987 as part of the Embassy team led by Ambassador Robin Renwick working to end apartheid.
Returning to London in 1991 he worked in the FCO Department dealing with the Soviet Union as communist rule collapsed. He then spent three years in Moscow as Political Counsellor and then served three times as HM Ambassador: in Sarajevo (1996-1998); in Belgrade (2001-2003) and most recently in Poland (2003-2007).
In 1987 he wrote the FCO’s first Guide to Speech-Writing, a dynamic text full of real-life examples on how to write speeches – and how to weed out lugubrious mistakes. Two decades later it remains a core part of the FCO’s speech-drafting training
He subsequently contributed to speeches by members of the Royal Family and successive Prime Ministers, as well as different Ministers and other senior personalities in public and commercial life
He left the FCO at the end of 2007 to start a new career as writer, consultant, mediator and trainer. In 2009 he joined the UK Conservative Party candidates list
In recent months Charles Crawford led training courses for senior EU and other officials and private clients aimed at improving their communication skills. He has written for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Independent, DIPLOMAT and Total Politics.
In 2009 his audiences included the Headmasters Conference and Conservative Friends of Poland, as well as private groups and academic gatherings
In 2010 he and other former British Ambassadors in partnership with ADR Group launched a new senior strategic dispute resolution panel, ADRg Ambassadors
Charles Crawford’s trenchant observations on public policy issues are now available to a growing readership on his blog
Such honesty has no place in modern government…it’s bloody dangerous!
Andrew Dodge (Samizdata)
The most telling critique of this delusional foreign policy comes in regular instalments in the form of a blog by the former British ambassador to Poland, Charles Crawford. It’s called www.charlescrawford.biz, and if you want to know just how much in despair many of our diplomats are, this is the place to look
Dominic Lawson (The Times, 2010)
In 2005 a humorous FCO email he wrote as Ambassador to Warsaw (a satirical speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair damning other countries’ selfishness on EU Budget issues) caused a stir when it was leaked to the Sunday Times
His FCO written work was praised at the highest levels in London, NATO and the EU for its uncompromising dynamic style:
“fabulously readable and interesting analysis, with practical application … just about the best scenesetter [No10 staff] have ever seen”
“acrobatic and eye-catching in his use of language”
As a speaker Charles Crawford draws on dramatic episodes from his diplomatic career to explain wider policy themes, paradoxes and trends. His presentations are interesting and thought-provoking, but above all memorable
He is strong on foreign and public policy issues such as:
o Communism (and Vampires)
o Dealing with extremists and war criminals
o Climate change and PPP (perverse precautionary principles)
o Amazon Space: how the Internet is changing the strategic policy context
o International negotiation (as explained by Shrek, the Joker and Clint Eastwood)
o UK/European Union relations: Too Big (not) to Fail
Dr Eamonn Butler is Director and co-founder of Britain’s leading free-market policy think tank, the Adam Smith Institute, and a leading author and broadcaster on economics and social issues. Westminster insiders look forward each week to his wry online commentary on politics and politicians.
Eamonn is the winner, with his colleague Dr Madsen Pirie, of the 2010 National Free Enterprise Award, for the greatest contribution to furthering the market economy. He is Vice-President of the Mont Pelerin Society, an international association of distinguished economists and entrepreneurs, founded in 1947 by the Nobel Prize winner F A Hayek.
After leaving St Andrews University in the 1970s with degrees in Economics, Psychology and Ethics, he joined the brain drain out of bankrupt Britain, becoming a policy analyst at the US House of Representatives in Washington. “There, I saw how laws are made,” he says.
He returned to edit an insurance magazine in the City, and to co-found the Adam Smith Institute, which for ten years became the chief intellectual force behind privatisation, internal markets, contracting out, and other foundations of the Thatcher Revolution.
Eamonn is author of books on a wide range of subjects, from economics through psychology to politics. These include easy-read introductions to the economists Milton Friedman, F A Hayek and Adam Smith, and a short explanation of how markets work, called (modestly) The Best Book on the Market, which he wrote to be “so simple that even politicians can understand it.”
He is also co-author of Forty Centuries of Wage and Price Controls (which traces economic incompetence back to Hammurabi of Babylon) and a series of IQ testers including The Sherlock Holmes IQ Book.
Recently, he has published a popular paperback explaining what has gone wrong with the UK, The Rotten State of Britain (2009), and what he calls a DIY manual for fixing it, The Alternative Manifesto.
His ability to explain complex economic and political issues in a simple, amusing and controversial style has led to Eamonn appearing on speaking platforms in every continent, he says, “except Antarctica – though if the global warming nuts are right, I could break my duck there soon.”
He is an experienced broadcaster, appearing regularly on current-affairs programmes, including The Today Programme, Newsnight, The Week, Any Questions, The PM Programme, Question Time Extra, Five Live Breakfast, Five Live Drive Time, News at Ten, Jeff Randall Live, and Sky News. His articles have appeared in national newspapers including The Times and Sunday Times, The Daily (and Sunday) Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, The Mail and Mail on Sunday, the London Evening Standard, The Scotsman, The Herald and (his personal favourite because “I’ve followed Oor Wullie since I was six and The Broons since I was seven”) The Sunday Post.
His writing for specialist journals such as Financial World and Private Banking has courted controversy recently by maintaining that the financial crisis was caused entirely by “incompetent politicians and regulators” rather than by “greedy bankers”. His insights into the world of political economy and centre-right policy thinking make him much in demand as a speaker and commentator for corporate clients.
In February 2010, Total Politics magazine ranked Dr Butler at 30th on a list of key unelected figures whose work and views exert measurable political influence today.
Shane Greer is a leading political commentator, writer and is the executive editor of the popular political monthly magazine Total Politics.
Shane launched Total Politics in 2008 with its publisher, the renowned commentator and blogger, Iain Dale, and has since helped establish it as one of the UK’s top political magazines.
In May 2010 he assumes the role of Managing Director of the leading publishing group Biteback Media, the company which also own Total Politics magazine.
Shane appears regularly on television and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, Daily Politics, BBC Breakfast, BBC World Service, Channel 4 News, More 4 News, Al Jazeera and BBC Radio and is a paper reviewer for both Sky and the BBC.
His first foray into politics was as the Executive Director of the Young Britons’ Foundation and as a lead presenter on the world’s first political internet television channel 18 Doughty Street. Shane is originally from Northern Ireland, but has since set up his home in London after spending time in Glasgow, the North West of England and Washington DC in the USA.
Shane writes for Total Politics, has blogged for the Daily Telegraph and Centre for Political Studies, was an online columnist for Sky News during the 2008 US presidential election and writes for the Yorkshire Post.
Shane’s first book Why Vote Conservative will be available at the beginning of March, followed closely by his second book,‘So You Want to be a Politician’. The former makes the case for voting Conservative at the coming general election and the latter is an essential read for first time candidates, sitting politicians, anyone intending to run an effective campaign and anyone interested in the art and science of political campaigning. Both books are published by Biteback.
Shane’s deep understanding of politics and political campaigning was recognised by leading US magazine, Campaigns and Elections, which has invited him for the last two years to join the judges panel for the Reed Awards; the US’ preeminent awards recognising campaigning excellence across the spectrum of political campaigns.
“Shane Greer is not only an accomplished blogger, but also an astute political analyst and excellent TV pundit. He is a regular on Sky News, featuring prominently on our Sky.Com programme, a half-hour daily show highlighting the web’s agenda, and frequently reviewing the newspapers with wit and aplomb.” -
JON CRAIG, Chief Political Correspondent, Sky News
Stephan Shakespeare is widely known as the charismatic founder of YouGov, PoliticsHome, ConservativeHome and 18 Doughty Street, the world’s first political internet TV station. Born in post war Germany, Shakespeare saw politics at work from an early age through his father who was a Journalist and press officer.
His family relocated to the UK in 1962 where he continued his education graduating from Oxford. Shakespeare was founding Principal of Landmark West Preparatory School in Los Angeles and held several senior teaching positions in California before returning to Britain as a political commentator, including a stint as a pollster for the Conservative party and spokesman for Jeffrey archer. Education remains an area of particular interest to him; he writes regularly for the national press on education policy.
Stephan Shakespeare has an unrivalled ability to understand and predict political outcomes. In the general election of 1997, he was beaten for the Colchester seat by Lib Dem candidate Bob Russell.
Within a year of founding market research and polling company YouGov he scored a major coup by predicting 2001 election victory for Labour to an accuracy of 1%. Shakespeare’s reputation as a fearsome innovator and businessman equals his political ability. YouGov has aquired major investment and now operates in the USA.
The Guardian included him in their line up of UK 100 most influential media personalities in 2008, rating him as “the pollster with the uncanny ability of getting it right”.
In 2008 Shakespeare along with Freddie Sayers established PoliticsHome which became rapidly established as the definitive source for political research and news.
PoliticsHome has become one of the most visited sites for political professionals and commentators, as with YouGov the operation has extended its services to America, and its innovative methods have been applied to the commercial sector across the world.
Brian Taylor is BBC Scotland’s Political Editor. After joining the BBC in 1985, he co-presenting the political programme Left, Right and Centre, until he was appointed Political Correspondent and ultimately, Political Editor.
Brian covers Scottish politics for BBC Scotland and related BBC national programmes including Good Morning Scotland and is a regular contributor to other BBC programmes.
Brian worked in newspapers for eight years including six years as a lobby correspondent at Westminster. He has written two books on Scotland’s new Parliament and co-written eight more.
Among other things, he is the author of The Scottish Parliament: a definitive account of the road to devolution and its consequences. His follow on book, Scotland’s Parliament: Triumph and Disaster, analyses the early years of the new Parliament.
He has lectured on politics and identity in Washington, Stockholm, Madrid, Edinburgh, London and throughout Germany and is a popular and expert speaker on Scottish politics and wider political matters.
Former Vice President Al Gore is Chairman of Generation Investment Management and also serves as Chairman of Current TV, is a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Computer and a Senior Advisor to Google. He is also a visiting professor at Middle Tennessee State University.
Gore was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1976, to the Senate in 1984 and 1990, and was inaugurated as the 45th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 1993. During the administration, he was a central member of President Clinton’s economic team, served as President of the Senate, a Cabinet member, a member of the National Security Council, and as the leader of a wide range of Administration initiatives.
He led the Clinton Administration’s efforts to protect the environment, authoring a best selling book on the topic, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit (1992). He led the administration’s efforts to protect the environment without weakening the US economy – working with the Big Three car makers to support the development of a new generation of fuel embodied this ethos.
In January 2006, the documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth, featuring Vice President Gore, was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film, a visually arresting presentation designed to disabuse doubters of the notion that climate change is debatable caused debate which has led to many global initiatives and increased awareness, especially within the United States of America.
As Vice President of the United States, winner of the popular vote in the mind-whirling campaign of 2000, congressman, Vietnam veteran and journalist, Al Gore offers a unique perspective on national and international affairs. He is also one of the most powerful champions of environmental awareness in America today.
His multimedia presentation, which is a mesmerizing account of the consequences of climate change, was turned into the critically acclaimed documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and is making headlines across the country.
In addition to his impassioned efforts with the environment, he has also carved out a considerable business career as Chairman of Generation Investment Management, a new London-based fund management firm that creates environment-friendly portfolios; Senior Advisor to Google; one of the Board of Directors of Apple Computer and is President of the recently launched and successful Current TV, a cable television network aimed at 18 – 24 year olds which is best described as a cross between MTV and CNN.
• An Inconvenient Truth
In a visually stunning multimedia presentation that both admonishes and inspires audiences, Vice President Gore confronts environmental issues in the world today and their impact on our global civilization.
• Thinking Green: Economic Strategy for the 21st Century
Arguing that the physical changes in our planet will eventually influence our global economy, Vice President Gore encourages business audiences to consider broader issues – environmental, social and political – when planning economic strategy.
• The Democratization of Technology
Consistently an active leader in technology, Vice President Gore discusses technological advancement and the potential of user involvement. He identifies key opportunities and challenges, charting a new digital society.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1993-1998. He also served as Minister of Finance for Malaysia from 1991-1998. Highly respected for his principled stance against corruption and his skillful management of the Malaysian economy during the turbulent period of its financial crisis, Anwar is also viewed as one of the forefathers of the Asian Renaissance and a leading proponent of greater cooperation among civilizations.
He is an ardent supporter of democracy and is an authoritative voice bridging the gap between East and West. Anwar was invited to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the ruling political party in Malaysia, and the government in 1982, by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. His rise in the party and in the government was meteoric.
He was elected in 1984, as Leader of UMNO Youth and in 1986, became a Vice-President of UMNO. He served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; Minister of Agriculture in 1984; and Minister of Education in 1986, prior to his tenure as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the 90s.
Active on the national front, Anwar has also been highly engaged in the international arena. He has been a strong advocate for civilizational dialogue and has worked tirelessly towards the ideals of Convivencia, the mutual coexistence of civilizations and the interplay of different social, cultural, and spiritual ideas.
Anwar also was Chairman of the Development Committee of World Bank and International Monetary Fund in 1998. During his tenure he strongly endorsed the initiatives of debt cancellation and reprieve for poor countries, particularly those in Africa.
Throughout his career in public service, Anwar was unrelenting in his campaign against corruption and has been committed to the ideals of empowerment, justice, and equity. He has stressed the need for internal reforms in order to reinforce civil and democratic institutions and to expand the democratic space. As acting Prime Minister in 1997 he introduced the controversial but effective Anti-Corruption Legislation. His emphasis on social justice, poverty eradication, education and civil society has guided his government involvement to the end.
During his tenure as Finance Minister, Malaysia enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and economic growth and joined the ranks of other Asian countries as an “Asian Tiger.” Anwar’s impact on the economy was immediate. Shortly after becoming Finance Minister, Euromoney named him as one of the top four finance ministers and in 1996, Asiamoney named him Finance Minister of the Year.
In the midst of Asian Financial Crises of 1997, Anwar was hailed for guiding Malaysia through this period of instability. He backed free market principles and called for “creative destruction”, highlighting the need to reconsider the proximity of business and politics in Malaysia. He advocated for greater accountability and refused to offer government bail-outs to companies facing bankruptcy. He also instituted widespread spending cuts and gut government expenditure on mega projects. These prescriptions saved the Malaysian economy and earned Anwar many accolades, including the title “Asian of the Year” by Newsweek International in 1998.
As Anwar amplified his calls for reform in 1998, fearing that he was losing his grip over the country, then Prime Minister Mahathir dismissed Anwar from the government and had him tried on trumped up charges.
Anwar’s trial and subsequent conviction were widely discredited in the international community. Amnesty International stated that the entire trial proceedings “ exposed a pattern of political manipulation of key state institutions including the police, public prosecutor’s office and the judiciary” Many world leaders including US Vice President Al Gore as well as the US Senate called for his release from prison.
His conviction was overturned by the Malaysian Supreme Court and Anwar was finally released from solitary confinement on September 2, 2004.
Since 2004 he has held lecturing positions at St. Anthony’s College at Oxford, the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and at the School of Foreign Service in Georgetown University. Anwar was recently appointed as Honorary President of the London-based group AccountAbility as well as Chairman of the Beirut-based Foundation for the Future. Anwar is also currently advisor to the People’s Justice Party (Keadilan), Malaysia.
He is an internationally renowned speaker on the subjects of democracy, freedom, governance, Islam and democracy and the need for accountability. He resides in Malaysia with his wife and six children.
Pam Giddy is director of The Power Inquiry. The Power Inquiry was set up in 2004 to explore how political participation and involvement can be increased and deepened in Britain following all time low turn-outs at the polling booths and a seemingly increasing public distrust of politicians and the political system. Its work is based on the primary belief that a healthy democracy requires the active participation of its citizens. With a long history, and interest, in constitutional and democratic reform issues, Pam established the Power Inquiry in 2004. She was appointed to the Content Board of Ofcom in May 2003.
After graduating in 1989 with a degree in Law from LSE, Pam joined Charter88, the newly formed constitutional reform movement. It was there that she launched the Violations of Rights series of publications, which set out to show how the lack of specific rights had an impact on us all. She left to cut her journalistic teeth on Cosmopolitan magazine in 1993 as Careers and News editor and then at the BBC with Newsnight, looking after political coverage.
She produced a series of films for the BBC on social exclusion in Salford, Manchester for the BBC before becoming the first female director of Charter88 in 1999. She has been widely consulted by the Government on issues relating to youth and diversity and is currently working on launching a major inquiry into the state of democracy and participation.
Anthony Browne is Policy Director for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s office. He is one of the key political advisors to the office, providing policy advice to the Mayor and Deputy’s and researching and developing new policies for London.
Browne is a former director of think tank Policy Exchange. He was previously a national journalist for fifteen years, having been chief political correspondent and Europe correspondent for the Times, Health Editor, Environment Editor and Deputy Business Editor of the Observer, and Economics Correspondent for BBC TV and radio. He has written policy reports on issues ranging from NHS reform to immigration for a range of think tanks including Adam Smith Institute, Social Market Foundation and Civitas.
“We are entering the most exciting, unpredictable and controversial period in British politics for years”
Iain Dale is one of Britain’s leading political commentators and political blogger. He writes for the Daily Telegraph, a fortnightly diary for the Eastern Daily Press and is a feature writer and contributing editor for GQ Magazine. He was the chief anchor of Britain’s first political internet TV channel, 18 Doughty Street.com and is now the publisher of the monthly magazine, TOTAL POLITICS. Until its demise earlier this year, Iain hosted a weekly political and current affairs Talk Radio show on PlayRadioUK.com.
Iain Dale is widely recognised as leading the field of political commentators by recognising the importance of internet based radio and TV coverage of modern political current affairs.
GQ readers have voted Iain Dale as the 66th Most Influential Man in Britain for 2009 – one place above Ian Hislop and two places above David Miliband!
Iain also writes for The Spectator, the New Statesman, the House Magazine and Parliamentary Monitor, as well as contributing weekly to The Guardian’s CommentIsFree. He is a newspaper reviewer for both Sky News and the BBC News Channel and appears on regularly on Today and Newsnight.
‘Very few indeed are better informed than Iain Dale – his style may be easygoing and humorous but he has a mind like a meat-cleaver’ Andrew Marr.
Iain is Britain’s leading political blogger with more than 130,000 individual readers each month. Iain is a widely respected and accomplished broadcaster, political commentator and raconteur.
Iain stood as a Conservative candidate at the last election and was Chief of Staff to the Rt Hon David Davis MP in the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election. He is a former political lobbyist, financial journalist and publisher and was the founder of Politico’s Bookstore. He is the creator and host of the theatre production A Night With Ann Widdecombe, which tours provincial theatres all round the country. He is Director of the Conservative History Group and co-director of the Campaign for Fixed Term Parliaments. Iain is also a vocal proponent of an English Parliament.
Iain Dale is an accomplished public speaker, and is much in demand on both political and current affairs topics, as well as his humorous after dinner style talks. There is very little indeed that goes on in politics that Iain isn’t aware of – he’s been humorously referred to as, “a more effective information gathering device in Westminster than MI5″
He is a former financial journalist with Lloyds List, and was a political lobbyist before setting up his own political bookselling and publishing company, Politico’s, in the late 1990s. He was a presenter of Radio 5 Live’s Sunday Service programme alongside Fi Glover and Charlie Whelan from 2000 to 2004, and presented 5 Live’s 2001 election night documentary Counting Chickens. He has also appeared on Radio 4’s Any Questions.
Among his programme credits are, Any Questions, Andrew Marr Show, Newsnight, Breakfast with Frost, Today Programme, Simon Mayo Show, Question Time Extra, 5 Live Breakfast, 5 Live Drive, Victoria Derbyshire, the Jon Gaunt Show, The Panel (Irish equivalent of Have I Got News for You), Steve Wright Show, The Sandy Toksvig LBC Show, Between the Lines (Press TV), News at Ten and many more.
Iain launched a major new political & current affairs publisher in July 2009, when Biteback Publishing launched three new imprints - Total Politics, Dialogue and Biteback. Biteback Publishing will publish between 30 and 40 books annually accross the three imprints. Biteback publish general current affairs titles, including biography, humour and political fiction. Dialogue concentrate on contemporary history and current affairs with a strong international flavour, while the Total Politics imprint focus on specialist political and reference titles. The first titles appeared in September 2009 and included the following… BITEBACK Trust: How we Lost It & How to Get It Back by Anthony Seldon DIALOGUE Seeking Gadaffi (a biography of Colonel Gadaffi) by Dabiel Kawzcynski MP TOTAL POLITICS The Total Politics Guide to the General Election edited by Greg Callus Iain’s Dale’s award winning blog is located at Iain Dale’s Diary and is the essential daily reading of political journalists, politicians (including Prime Ministers) and informed politically interested professionals everywhere.
Screwing Up by Mark Oaten MP
The Yes Minister Miscellany by Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn
Kinnock: A Biography by Martin Westlake
How to Create a Successful School by Francis Beckett
Effective Political Speechmaking by John Shosky
Inside the Pakistan Army by Carey Schofield
Dilly: The Man Who broke Enigma by Mavis Batey
Six: 100 Years of the Secret Intelligence Service by Michael Smith
Delane’s War by Tim Coates
Blueprint: Inside the Next Conservative Government by Lionel Zetter
The Art of Consultation by Rhion Jones & Elizabeth Gammell
How to be a Politician edited by Shane Greer
Rise & Fall of the Dock Labour Scheme by John Dempster
Total Politics Guide to Political Blogging 2009-10
British Electoral Facts 1832-2006 edited by Colin Rallings & Michael Thrasher