After Keith Vaz, who was a junior minister with the former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a PIO Shriti Vadera has been appointed as Junior International Development Minister by Britain's new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.  Vadera, an economist, will be dealing with issues related to India. Vadera's appointment as a Junior Minister is all the more significant since she is from outside the political spectrum.

Vadera, who was a central figure in the Treasury presided over by Brown, was tipped for a key role in 10, Downing Street, due to her proximity with Brown. She has advised him on various international issues, including Africa.

Vadera was born in Uganda but her family moved in the 1970s first to India and then to England, where she studied politics, philosophy and economics at Somerville College, Oxford. She has held key financial and economic positions in London's financial district. Vadera is seen as a key behind-the-scenes figure who has the full confidence of Brown. She has been the main point of contact between the Treasury and the City, London's financial district.

Vadera has overseen many of the more technical aspects of Treasury policy. She managed the sale of government defense-research company Qinetiq, the partial sale of the London Underground and arranged a bond sale to raise money to vaccinate poor children in Africa. She is on the board of trustees of Oxfam. Former minister Stephen Byers once said of her: "Shriti's Shriti. She can be forceful and sometimes she can be a real sweetie. She's a significant player in Whitehall."

British Asian Conservative Link Hosts Dinner at the Carlton Club

The British Asian Conservative Link (BACL) hosted a dinner at the Carlton Club on the 21^st of June 2007 in honour of The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot MP, Chairman of the House of Commons Defense Select Committee.

The club was packed with distinguished guests including Lord & Lady Sheikh, The PPC Mr. Paul Uppal from Wolverhampton. The Mayor of Harrow, Cllr. Lurline Champagnie , the present & past Chairmen of the Basingstoke Conservative Association, Mr. Nigel McNair-Scott & Mr. Mark Andrea, Cllr. Pritpal Singh, Mr. Colin Malam, Chairman N.E. Hants Conservative Association,  District Cllr from Beaconsfield, Mr. Santokh Chhokar, Mr. Christopher Fenwick, Gen. Sec. of the United & Cecil Club, Mr. Amit Roy of The Telegraph, Mrs. Rita Paine of the BBC, Ms Nidhi Dalmia of Dalmia Media and Mr. Tahir Ali of Venus TV were some of the guests present.

The General Secretary, Dr Rami Ranger MBE, gave a brief introduction of the BACL and explained the rationale behind the organization. The main aims being to promote Asians amongst the Tory leaders and the Tory leaders amongst the Asian community in order to change each others perception. This interaction of the two is encouraging the Asians to join the party of their natural values.

The Chairman, Mr Ranbir Suri, explained that the BACL was his vision when he realized that there was no one making a conscious effort to attract the Asian vote to the Tory cause.  He said that when he approached the then Party Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Michael Ancram MP, he applauded the idea but said the Party was unable to fund such an organization. Mr Suri, encouraged by Mr Ancram's response, said that he would find funding from the community and with the support of like minded people, the BACL was born. It is now helping Asians to contest winnable seats.

The Guest of Honour spoke at length about the need to attract candidates on merit regardless of their colour and race. He promised to support ethnic and women candidates for the greater good of the Party. Lord Sheikh also spoke about the need for the Party to give and take if the Party was to get the best out of its ethnic members. The Party must value the contribution of those who were working hard for its success. Justice should be seen to be done.

The Vice Chairman of the BACL, Dr. Ashraf Chohan thanked the guests.