We run events throughout the year for our members. Watch this space for news about our Annual Fundraiser, Spring Conference Fringe event, and Conference events.
Upcoming events –
We’re getting over Party Conference – so watch this space for future events!
Previous Events 2023
October 23: Members Only Conference Reception
Our final event at Conservative Party Conference was a Reception with the Coalition for Global Prosperity at which SoS FCDO, himself a Reservist, James Cleverly MP attended and gave the key note speech. James is such a great global ambassador for Britain and it was inspiring to hear him praising the work of our Armed Forces and the good we do around the world thanks to our development aid spending too. A huge thank you to those who attended. Further pics can be found here.
October 23: “Serve Again” Panel, CPC23
Our second panel event of the Conservative Party Conference was on “Serving Again” – with CFAF members Roger Metcalfe, Cllr Andy Huggins and Shannon Lloyd discussing their views on transitioning out of the military and their passion and commitment to continue serving in a political capacity. We were joined by Secretary of State for Health Steve Barclay who emphasised the Government’s goal of making the UK the best place in the world to be a Veteran, the NHS app and transparency across the NHS. A big thanks to the panellists for their contributions and to the audience who joined us.
October 23: Big Conference Reception, CPC23
Our Big Conference Reception was a smash hit at CPC23 on Monday evening. We were joined by MPs, Industry insiders, SpAds, charity reps, members and friends for the Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps’s speech about our values, his respect and praise for our military and the UK’s commitment to Ukraine. Take a look at the pictures here (dropbox-create a free account if you don’t have one already).
October 23: Panel Discussion “the UK Military and the Gulf”, CPC23
At Conservative Party Conference this week we kicked off on Monday with a Panel on “the UK Military and the Gulf”. The Qatar Ambassador to the UK joined us along with academic and practising Gulf expert, Dr Andreas Krieg and Ryan Henson, CEO Coalition for Global Prosperity. ED CFAF James Clark organised and chaired the panel and discussion centred around the potential for further co-operation, values vs pragmatism and early interventions through strategic planning. Really informative and rewarding- a huge thank you to the panellists and the standing room only audience who attended and asked questions. Take a look at more pictures here (dropbox).
September 23: Annual Fundraiser, Champagne Reception
Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces held our annual fundraiser on the rooftop of the NED private members club in central London. We are incredibly grateful to the kind donor/sponsor of the champagne reception for his generosity. 55 people attended in including Ministers, MPs, Special Advisers, representatives from industry, members and friends and we raised £4000 for parliamentary candidates with military backgrounds for the forthcoming General Election. A huge thank you to everyone who attended!
July 23: North East Conference CFAF Panel Discussion
Steve Baker and Col Bob Stuart joined the panel for CF Armed Forces’ event at the North East Conference. A big thank you to Aubrey Holt and Scott Jewitt for their help and support.
July 23: Campaign Action Day in Mid Bedfordshire and Uxbridge
Members of CF Armed Forces joined candidate Festus and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP campaigning in Mid Bedfordshire. We also joined Steve Tuckwell in his successful campaign to win the Uxbridge By-election.
June 23: Armed Forces Day Celebrations
Members of CF Armed Forces celebrated Armed Forces Day across the country.
May 23: Campaign Action Days
We held multiple campaign action days for the three by elections.
April 23: Conservative Conference Wales
Roger Metcalfe led the charge at the Wales Conference bumping into members and friends and organised for former SoS Defence Penny Mordaunt to join for discussion and a chat!
April 23: IR Refresh Policy Discussion Dinner
Coalition for Global Prosperity and CF Armed Forces welcomed MPs, Peers and a serving military Officer to dinner to discuss the implications of this year’s recent IR Refresh. The debate was topical, well informed and lively and left everyone with much food for thought.
April 23 Campaign Roadshow – Haslemere – Round 5!
Our final stop on the CF Armed Forces campaign roadshow was in Haslemere. We had a great reception on the doorsteps and a good time in the pub afterwards!
April 23 Campaign Roadshow – Hemel Hempstead -Round 4!
The team were out in force in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 15th April, joined by local council candidates, CWO and more! Thanks to all those who turned out to keep Dacorum Blue!
April 2023 : “US-UK Special Relationship” discussion event online
Shane Mason provided analysis and led the discussion of all things “Special Relationship” from 1946 onwards culminating in the the perplexing question is it special and if so who for. We were joined by CF Armed Forces members from across the country and we’re looking forward to the next one already!
March 2023: Spring Conference 2023
A big thanks to Roger Metcalfe who gathered the troops together in Birmingham on the Friday evening of Spring Conference weekend.
March 2023: Campaign Roadshow – Round 3
A huge turnout from BSG Conservatives Armed Forces members and friends along with the usual suspects from the CF Armed Forces team to support local elections in Filton and Bradley Stoke with special guests Conservative Deputy Chair for Veterans Jack Lopresti MP and PCC Mark Shelford.
February 2023: Campaign Roadshow – Round 2
Another month another CFAF Roadshow stop, this time in St Albans for the fantastic parliamentary candidate Clare De Silva and the dedicated local association there. Lots of canvass data and a decent pub stop afterwards- thanks to all those who made the journey!
February 2023: South West Conference
Great to meet up with CF Armed Forces members from across the South West in Taunton over a fun filled weekend. A big shout out to Sir Richard, Marjorie, Geoff, Julian, Neil, Will, Ed, Roger, Rich and Franklin!
January 2023: Campaign Roadshow – Round 1
Big team out for a campaign day with local MP Angela Richardson and two of the local council candidates in Guildford on Saturday 28th January. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
Previous Events 2022
November 2022: Reception with Tom Tugendhat MP
Minister of State for Security at the Home Office Tom Tugendhat mixed with members and friends and spoke eloquently on the threats facing the UK during at the CFAF Reception in November at the Carlton Club.
October 22: CV Writing Workshop with Gareth Fox
CF Armed Forces Training Wing were given seat CV writing training from the oracle Gareth Fox and Rob West at CCHQ,. They discussed what CCHQ and Associations are looking for from candidates carefully crafting their CV applications.
Party Conference 22: Campaignforce Panel Discussion ‘why military veterans make great politicians’ hosted by former Conservative agent and long serving reservist Jonny Ball. Panel guests included former colonel James Sunderland MP, Brigadier (Retd) Mike Dooley from Salesforce and veterans James Clark from Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces and Donna Gavin.
Party Conference 22: Coalition for Global Prosperity partnered Annual Reception.
Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces and the Coalition for Global Prosperity held our partnered “now legendary” Conference Reception in Hall 8b of the ICC on Monday 3rd October 2022.
The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace MP joined us as our guest speaker but in the audience we had the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP, Alec Shelbrooke MP, Stuart Anderson MP, James Sunderland MP, Alicia Kearns MP, Flick Drummond MP, March Fletcher MP, Richard Holden MP, Gagan Mohindra MP and more- too many to name! Industry reps and members mixed over drinks and speeches and a good time was had by all. For those who missed out you were not alone- we had over 1000 people asking to attend a venue with 130 capacity.
Party Conference 22: Capita Sponsored Policy Pamphlet Launch
Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces held our panel discussion/presentation session to launch our Capita sponsored Policy Pamphlet 2022. With over 60 delegates attending and a panel of 5 we heard from this year’s contributors and our audience.
August 2022: ‘Demystifying Russia – unravelling the enigma of what drives Russia’s strategic ambitions’ Webinar
For over an hour Shane Mason shared his observations of what characterises Russia and what drives its geopolitical ambitions followed and chaired a very open, thought provoking discussion with over 20 members and friends, Parliamentarians and Peers who joined us. The feedback was truly incredible and we’re hoping to book Shane in for a future session before Christmas.
June 2022: Candidate Training Wing “Raising Your Profile” Event
Col Bob Stuart MP hosted an evening of speeches and networking. Joy Morrisey MP, Ben Everitt MP, Jacob Young MP and Gagan Mohindra MP joint the guests to share their experiences. Thanks to Sarah Atherton, our parliamentary patron, for joining the group too!
June 2022: By Election Duty in the South West
A whopping seventeen members and friends joined us for campaigning in the Tiverton and Honiton By-Election delivering for the candidate there Helen Hurford. A great day and the weather helped!
April 2022: ANZAC Day Commemoration at 10 Downing Street
A huge thanks to Myles Stacey for organising a group of CF Armed Forces members to an ANZAC Day commemoration at Downing Street. We were joined by students of the ULOTC and other guests.
March 2022: CFAF do Spring Conference
The CF Armed Forces contingent were out in force with 15 members and friends turning up for drinks in a delightful Blackpool local. As well as drinking there was discussion of policies with Stuart Anderson MP who joined us and members like Andy Huggins pictured had their chance to tell a packed auditorium about their ambitions for the parties green agenda.
March 2022: Parliamentary Assessment Board Training at an exclusive London venue
Potential candidates in our Candidate Training Wing along with others from our membership came along for a two hour presentation on the “list” process. Drinks in a private bar followed.
February 2022: Spreading the word in the South West
Executive Director James Clark was given a warm welcome by delegates at the South West Regional Conservative Conference when he attended a panel on diversity within the party.
January 2022: Campaigning in Southend West
Great to see some supporters and members of CFAF amongst the crowds out in Southend West to support candidate Anna Firth. A pleasure to bump into Mark Francois MP, Jackie Doyle-Price MP and the Home Secretary Rt Hon Priti Patel MP there too!
Previous Events 2021
November 2021: Campaigning in Old Bexley and Sidcup and North Shropshire
Teams were out in force supporting two candidates in November 2021 – Louie French and Candidate Training Wing member Neil Shastri-Hurst. We organise regular action days to support Conservative candidates across the country.
04 October 2021: Conservative party Conference 2021 CF Armed Forces Reception
We held our legendary annual in person Conference drinks reception for members and friends on Monday 4th October 2021 from 20:30-22:00. The Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP was our guest of honour and he persuaded Minister of the Armed Forces James Heappey MP, Minister for Procurement Jeremy Quin MP and Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Doherty MP. Minister at the FCDO James Cleverly MP, Alicia Kearns MP, James Sunderland MP, parliamentary patron Sarah atherton MP, Mark Fletcher MP, Darren Henry MP and Stuart Anderson MP amongst others all attended.
16 September 2021: Policy Pamphlet 2021 “in-person” Launch
We held our inaugural Policy Pamphlet launch at 15 Great College Street, Westminster, SW1P 3RX on Wednesday 15th September 2021 from 18:00-20:00 and were joined by approximately 50 members and friends.
Former Secretary of State for Defence and CFAF stalwart Penny Mordaunt MP joined our parliamentary patron, Sarah Atherton MP and Andrew Walton CBE, Head of UK Strategy at Saab to speak to guests.
25th June 2021: James Sunderland MP imparting some wisdom to the CF Armed Forces Training Wing candidates.
May 2021: Gagan Mohindra MP joined the CF Armed Forces team out in force campaigning for Peter Fleet in the Chesham and Amersham By Election..
May 2021: CF Armed Forces members and CWO join forces to ring to win for Jill Mortimer in the Hartlepool By-election.
22nd April 2021: James Cleverly MP joined the Candidates Training Wing discussing his experiences as a candidate, MP, Party Chairman and Minister at the FCDO.
16th April 2021: David Jones MBE joined members of the Candidates Training Wing to share his thoughts on the changes and improvements to the candidates selection process.
27th March 2021: Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace MP discussed the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper at Conservative Spring Conference with James Clark, Executive Director of CF Armed Forces hosting.
13th March 2021: Delighted to join Thames Valley Conservatives for a dedicated break out session at their Spring Conference. Thanks to James Sunderland MP, Sarah Atherton MP and James Clark, ED CFAF for giving their views and William Hall, CFAF Policy Lead for chairing.
27th January 2021: CF Armed Forces invited to a discussion with MPs, Lords and Senior Stakeholders at the APPG for the Forces Covenant to discuss passage of the armed Forces Bill through both Houses with Minister, Johnny Mercer MP.
26th January 2021: Members only closed round table discussion on civilians in conflict with Warchild and the Institute for Global Prosperity. 14 Members joined us for this high level discussion/briefing.
Previous Events 2020
23rd December 2020: Merry Christmas to CF Armed Forces Members and Friends from the Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP.
16th December 2020: Leadership Team members joined Amanda Milling and Matt Hancock for a thank you from the Outreach Department.
04th November 2020: Members Ed McGuiness, Will Hall and President James Clark were joined by Mims Davies MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions for a session on behalf of the RBL to sell Poppies at Westminster Underground Tube Station.
06th October 2020: Online Panel Event at Virtual Conference sponsored by Capita. Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Andy Start and Huw Lewis MBE joined members to discuss “the Armed Forces and social mobility”.
04th October 2020: Online Panel Event at Virtual Conference sponsored by Capita. Darren Henry MP, Tom Randall MP and Richard Holden MP joined members to discuss “Strategies for attracting and building technical expertise into the Armed Forces”.
22nd July 2020: Online Panel Debate co-hosted by Conservative Policy Forum, sponsored by Capita. James Sunderland MP, Cath Possamai and Ren Kapur joined members to discuss the question “Have we turned the corner in UK Military recruitment and retention?”
18th February 2020: Annual Fundraiser at the Cavalry and Guards Club with guest speaker Penny Mordaunt MP and Shaun Bailey AM. Delighted to be joined by so many members, friends, MPs and Industry Experts.
Previous Events 2019
Monday 11th November 2019: Armistice Day Lunch at the Carlton Club with Gen Sir Jack Deverall. Ticket proceeds to Care After Combat.
Saturday 9th November 2019: Campaigning Action Day for Theo Clarke, Candidate in Stafford.
Tuesday 29th October 2019: Conservative Voice Meeting – Defence.
Saturday 19th October 2019: We held a successful Campaign Action Day for David Burrowes, the Candidate in Enfield Southgate. There’s a picture below or see our facebook page and twitter for the video.
September/October: CF Armed Forces held a very popular reception at Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. We were delighted the Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace could attend and speak. A huge thanks to him and to our sponsors Amey for a brilliant evening.
July: CF Armed Forces held a sold out event at the Carlton Club on the future of Defence. A huge thanks to the panel (General Sir Richard Barrons; Lucy Fisher – Defence Correspondent, The Times; Professor Peter Roberts, Director Military Sciences, RUSI and Bruce Park, Defence Partner, Deloitte) and to Lewis Feilder, our Board member who organised and chaired the event.
July: Three of our Members who are also parliamentary candidates including Wolverhampton candidate Stuart Anderson met other friends and supporters at the Candidates summer reception.
July: Members and Friends joined Ian Duncan Smith at a Battle of Britain Event in Kensington.
July: CF Armed Forces were invited to join Sevenoaks Conservatives in welcoming future Prime Minister Boris Johnson to speak about Defence issues at a fundraiser.
June: In his capacity of President of CF Armed Forces, James Clark was invited to discuss veterans mental health issues with leadership contender Jeremy Hunt MP and Secretary of State for Defence Penny Mordaunt MP.
June: Seven Members and Friends across two consecutive evenings were provided with tickets to see the Trooping of the colour parade in St James.
May: Representatives and friends invited to the launch of the Victoria Cross Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum
May: Members and Friends of the organisation were out campaigning in the local elections.
March: CF Armed Forces representatives attended Palace of Westminster meetings on the living situation for resettled Afghan Interpreters and for the launch of Conservative Friends of Afghanistan with Sir Michael Fallon MP and Tom Tugendhat MP.
February: Parliamentary Launch. A huge thanks to those who attended our introductory event on Monday 4th February 2019 in Westminster. The event was well attended by MPs, Peers, Conservative Candidates and Industry Leaders. The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson MP joined us and spoke about his enthusiasm for the organisation. A huge thank you to Saab and Kanto for their contribution to making the event possible.
