Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lord Rami Ranger hosts special dinner in support of Maidenhead Conservative association

Indian high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami described how the UK and India could co-operate and collaborate after the FTA.

Lord Rami Ranger hosts special dinner in support of Maidenhead Conservative association

Long-time Tory supporter Lord Rami Ranger CBE has hosted a special dinner in support of the Maidenhead Conservative association at the Carlton Club in London on January 11.

Former prime minister Theresa May MP was the guest of honour and Indian high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was the special guest at the event.


Lord Ranger expressed his gratitude to May for ennobling him by making him a life Peer. He also mentioned her outstanding contribution, dedication, and commitment both as prime minister and as a local MP.

"Britain celebrates diversity, multiculturalism and social cohesion. The appointment of Rishi Sunak MP as prime minister exemplified the diversity and meritocracy of Britain and the Conservative Party," he said.

"I came to London in 1971 with nothing. It was only because of Britain's great values that I could work my way up the ladder of success."

0 IMG 2627 Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Dr Ashraf Chochan, Theresa May MP, Mr Nayaz Qazi, Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Sabina Ranger

Lord Ranger was honoured eight times by The Queen, six times for business and twice for community service. His company Sun Mark was the only company in the UK to have won an unprecedented five consecutive Queen's awards for Enterprise in international trade.

According to the Tory peer, the UK-India free trade agreement (FTA) would be the 'mother of all free trade agreements' as it will unleash unprecedented economic growth in both countries.

The former prime minister thanked Lord Ranger for hosting the dinner. She said that the Conservative Party must be united for the benefit of the nation. Through this unity, the Party can win the next general election, May added.

She added that Sunak is a very hard-working prime minister and he has brought in calm and stability.

Speaking on the occasion, Doraiswami described how the UK and India could co-operate and collaborate after the FTA.

"The cordial relationship between the countries will improve economies and security. The key objective from India's point of view was not as the narrative has been seen in the British media of a negotiation built on visa numbers to Britain. It is not correct and this narrative should be stopped," he said.

"The FTA should be one of equal parity. It will include key areas of mutual benefit, including manufacturing, healthcare, export of beverages, and pharmaceuticals duty-free import-export to benefit the consumers in both countries."

0 IMG 2059 Parliamentary Secretary of State Baroness Charlotte Vere, Lady Ranger and guests

The association chairman, Sir William Perry, Sri Lankan high commissioner Saroja Sirisena, Joy Morrissey MP, Lady Renu Ranger, chair of British Italian Conservatives Maurizio Bragagni, chair of the Conservative Friends of the NHS, Dr Ashraf Chohan, Conservative Friends of India co-chair Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, director general Nayaz Qazi, Dr Selva Pankaj of Regent College, Cllr Gurpreet Bhangra, local councillors from Maidenhead and Beaconsfield, Dr Maurizio Bragagni OBE and Damon Clarke have also participated in the event.

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less