A Foreign Policy for the 21st Century: The Chinese Century - Lord Balfe
We are delighted to be hosting Lord Richard Balfe of Dulwich for a very topical and fascinating talk on “A Foreign Policy for the 21st Century: The Chinese Century” from 5pm GMT on Thursday 5th May 2022 in Oriel College’s Harris Lecture Theatre. Lord Balfe is a former Labour Party Member of the European Parliament and now Conservative life peer. He was previously appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron as Conservative Party Trade Union Envoy and as an important and skilled political operator, Lord Balfe has an unrivalled breadth of experience from local council level right up to European and International politics. During his time in as an MEP, Lord Balfe was an ardent supporter of the single European currency and was a member of the European Movement (the lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration). He campaigned against Brexit and proposed a bill for EU citizens resident the UK to have the right to vote and become MPs. This promises to be a fascinating event and there will also be the chance to ask questions in a Q&A session. It will undoubtedly be one of the most topical and exciting talks of the term and a truly unique opportunity to hear from such an accomplished, high profile speaker who is currently in the British Government. PLEASE REGISTER ASAP: forms.gle/bzNdjhis4Pk41DWq7
He was first elected in Dulwich in the 1973 Greater London Council election, serving until 1977, before being elected as the Member of European Parliament for London South Inner. He held this seat until its abolition in 1999, and then won a seat on the party list for London. In 2001, his transition from the Labour Party to the Conservative Party was triggered. He stood for election as quaestor in the European Parliament, against the instructions from the Labour Party group. As a result of this incident, he was expelled from the party in 2002. In March of 2002, Lord Balfe became the first elected Labour politician to join the Conservative Party since Reg Prentice in 1977. He subsequently stood down as an MEP in 2004. In 2013, Lord Balfe was created as a life peer in the House of Lords, and has subsequently served as President of the Cambridge Conservative Association, the Honorary President of the British Dietetic Association and a member of the Advisory Board at the UK ‘Polar Regions’ think-tank, Polar Research & Policy Initiative. Lord Balfe is also a highly active peer in championing his European beliefs in the House of Lords. For example, in 2015, Lord Balfe proposed a bill to make provision to allow EU citizens who are resident in the UK to vote in parliamentary elections and to become members of Parliament. And, in line with his pro-EU philosophy, he takes an active role in ‘Cambridge for Europe’, a local campaign that ensures that people In Cambridge fully understand the arguments for membership of the EU.
In addition to sharing insights from a truly global and diverse political career, and touching on key current political issues, he will be answering your questions. He highly recommend you make the most of this unique opportunity to hear from and ask questions of such a fascinating figure with an impressive career in Politics. This will be a very interactive event with the opportunity for you to ask questions and it promises to be very exciting. If you would like to meet Lord Balfe and speak to him directly in a private reception at the end of the event (schedule permitting) please email contact@theoxfordguild.com ASAP.
WHEN: 5pm GMT, Thursday 5th May 2022
WHERE: Oriel College Harris Lecture Theatre (IN PERSON)
REGISTER: forms.gle/bzNdjhis4Pk41DWq7
Date: 5 May 2022, 17:00 (Thursday, 2nd week, Trinity 2022)
Venue: Oriel College, Oriel Square OX1 4EW
Venue Details: Harris Lecture Theatre
Speaker: Lord Balfe
Organiser: Oxford Guild Business Society (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: oliver.poole@univ.ox.ac.uk
Host: Oxford Guild Business Society (University of Oxford)
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://forms.gle/bzNdjhis4Pk41DWq7
Cost: Free
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Oliver Poole