Conservatives Abroad

Conservatives Abroad We are the British Conservative Party’s global network of its members and supporters living overseas A PROUD HISTORY OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BRITISH DIASPORA.

While some informal overseas groupings of Conservative supporting expats can be traced back to the 1970s, the story of Conservatives Abroad as it is today really started in the 1980s. In 1985 the Representation of the People Act was amended to define who would qualify as an ‘overseas elector’ helping to clear up previous uncertainties. At this time Norman Tebbit MP had been made Party Chairman wit

h Tom Arnold MP serving as his deputy. Norman Tebbit soon asked the late David Smith OBE to return to Central Office to run a campaign to register the newly enfranchised overseas citizens, working under the wing of Jim Spicer MP, Chairman of the International Office. David Smith found on arrival that there was no guidance, just a copy of the updated Representation of the People Act which had extended the franchise to Britons abroad and his first task was to devise a name for the organisation. He opted for Conservatives Abroad, a name that continues on today. Conservatives Abroad was soon to sprout branches and supporters across the globe and ingrain itself into the social fabric of many British communities around the world. This was cemented by frequent visits by Cabinet Ministers and MP’s and in particular with all Party Leaders from Baroness Thatcher onwards making a point of meeting with Conservatives Abroad branches on their travels around the world. Conservatives Abroad has been fortunate to have been steered by a succession of internationally minded Chairmen including The Rt. Hon. Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE, The Rt. Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE, Caroline Abel Smith OBE and today Heather Harper MBE. Currently we operate worldwide with Reps in 54 countries and territories and members in an additional 60.

For the second time members of Conservatives Abroad were out in force today campaigning for our home team member Leon Co...
25/04/2026

For the second time members of Conservatives Abroad were out in force today campaigning for our home team member Leon Cook who is standing for election for the Thames Ward of Wokingham Borough Council. We were joined by former Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip who are indomitable doorstep campaigners.

For the second time members of Conservatives Abroad were out in force today campaigning for our home team member Leon Cook who is standing for election for the Thames Ward of Wokingham Borough Council.

Video call with Joy Morrissey MP
24/04/2026

Video call with Joy Morrissey MP

Members of Conservatives Abroad from around the world joined a UK lunchtime video call today with Shadow Deputy Chief Whip Joy Morrissey MP.

23/04/2026

Happy St George’s Day from the Conservative Party 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

British citizens abroad are stakeholders not after-thoughtsConservatives Abroad gave evidence to Parliament on the new R...
20/03/2026

British citizens abroad are stakeholders not after-thoughts

Conservatives Abroad gave evidence to Parliament on the new Representation of the People Bill 2026 alongside Labour International and LibDems Abroad. We were able to get the message across that Briton’s overseas are not after-thoughts and must be given an equal chance to participate in the British political system.

Building on the objective of the Bill to improve voter registration, we advocated Government using its existing digital interaction with Britons living abroad to make them fully aware of their right to vote and how to register, for example upon renewal of a passport.

We also advocated the availability of secure and verifiable downloadable ballot papers to allow for the speedy one way return of votes, due to the failings of postal systems, echoing approaches already taken by many countries around the world including New Zealand and Singapore.

18 March 2026

https://www.conservativesabroad.org/news/british-citizens-abroad-are-stakeholders-not-after-thoughts

British citizens abroad are stakeholders not after-thoughtsConservatives Abroad gave evidence to Parliament on the new R...
20/03/2026

British citizens abroad are stakeholders not after-thoughts

Conservatives Abroad gave evidence to Parliament on the new Representation of the People Bill 2026 alongside Labour International and LibDems Abroad. We were able to get the message across that Briton’s overseas are not after-thoughts and must be given an equal chance to participate in the British political system.

Building on the objective of the Bill to improve voter registration, we advocated Government using its existing digital interaction with Britons living abroad to make them fully aware of their right to vote and how to register, for example upon renewal of a passport.

We also advocated the availability of secure and verifiable downloadable ballot papers to allow for the speedy one way return of votes, due to the failings of postal systems, echoing approaches already taken by many countries around the world including New Zealand and Singapore.

18 March 2026

Conservatives Abroad gave evidence to Parliament on the new Representation of the People Bill 2026 alongside Labour International and LibDems Abroad. We were...

Lucky Country BashMike Todd, Conservatives Abroad Australasia Coordinator organised yesterday an event in Sydney of memb...
08/01/2026

Lucky Country Bash

Mike Todd, Conservatives Abroad Australasia Coordinator organised yesterday an event in Sydney of members and supporters to meet Conservatives Abroad Chairman Heather Harper MBE. Apart from New South Wales attendees, Conservatives Abroad Representatives from Canberra and Melbourne flew in who alongside representatives of the Australian Liberal Party helped to make it a great evening.

Heather reinforced at the event that “expat voters are valued stakeholders and not afterthoughts“, a message that was warmly welcomed.

A happy and successful 2026 to one and all!
01/01/2026

A happy and successful 2026 to one and all!

23/12/2025

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from the Conservatives Abroad Home Team to all our friends, supporters, members and patrons across the globe.

A Bermuda short eventConservatives Abroad held a reception last night at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club with local members...
22/11/2025

A Bermuda short event

Conservatives Abroad held a reception last night at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club with local members and supporters plus British citizens interested in overseas voter registration procedures. Among those present were Conservatives Abroad Chairman, Heather Harper MBE, North American Co-ordinator, Simon Glass and Bermuda representative, James Robinson.

An excellent gathering meeting new friends.

The world in London.Members of Conservatives Abroad from all around the world gathered in London last night for our annu...
30/10/2025

The world in London.

Members of Conservatives Abroad from all around the world gathered in London last night for our annual dinner. This was hosted jointly with the CLWCA political studies group and the guest speaker was Lord Moore of Etchingham, the official biographer of Margaret Thatcher and former editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.

Fitting to mark the centenary of Lady Thatcher’s birth, Charles Moore gave a detailed and thoughtful appraisal of her achievements in politics and as an overall successful and transformational Prime Minister who won re-election three times to dominate the 1980’s and the era beyo

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