Our Charter

 The Charter of the Conservative Friends of CANZUK

As adopted

A. Aims and Objectives

1.    In alignment with the merger aims, the Conservative Friends of CANZUK seeks to consolidate efforts within the Conservative Party to advocate for and facilitate closer and stronger ties between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

2.    Recognising CANZUK as a dynamic journey, we emphasise crucial areas for successful cooperation, namely: freedom of movement, integration of defence, economic co-operation, and alignment on foreign affairs.

3.    Emphasising freedom of movement as paramount, we advocate for the elimination of tariff and visa boundaries, including services, fostering a socio-economic concept which combines pragmatism with shared cultural bonds. We also advocate for enhanced cooperation in defence and foreign affairs through a new multilateral treaty, recognising the unique perspectives of each member state whilst establishing a stronger basis for joint action in the face of shared threats.

4.    The Conservative Friends of CANZUK prioritises national sovereignty through the pooling of collective resources, enabling a greater security for member states in the face of challenging geopolitical circumstances.

5.    Our primary policy objective is to champion this cause within the Conservative Party, aspiring to make CANZUK the central foreign policy goal of the Party, its members, and lawmakers.

6.    Our aims will be implemented via events, awareness raising, academic research, advocacy, and media channels as vehicles for CANZUK.

B. Key Areas of Policy Focus

Freedom of Movement

1.    Advocate for the removal of tariff and visa boundaries between Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

2.    Support the freedom of movement of goods, capital, people, and services through the creation of mutual recognition agreements.

Defence and Foreign Affairs:

1.    Promote enhanced cooperation on defence and foreign affairs.

2.    Propose a new multilateral treaty to rationalise defence expenditure, procurement, and research and development, fostering joint action in the face of shared threats.

National Sovereignty:

1.    Prioritising sovereignty whilst emphasising co-operation.

2.    Promoting the enhancement of national sovereignty through the collective pooling of resources.

C. Structure

1.    Executive administered by an Executive Committee.

2.    The Executive Committee consists of a maximum of 10 members, including:

a.    Two Co-Chairs

b.    Two Vice-Chairs

c.    Treasurer

d.    Social Media Officer

e.    Events and Fundraising Officer

3.    Any other Officer appointed at the discretion of the Co-Chairs in consultation with the Executive Committee may be co-opted with consultation with the Executive Committee.

4.    Executive Committee meetings occur at least four times a year, with the Co-Chair(s) chairing all meetings.

5.    The quorum for Committee meetings is five Committee members.

6.    Voting is by a show of hands with the Co-Chairs decide if the vote is a tie.

7.    The Co-Chairs are authorised to remove any Committee member for a good and proper reason, with the individual's right to be heard.

D.  Powers of the Executive Committee

1.    To achieve its aims, the Executive Committee may:

a.     Raise money

b.    Open bank accounts

c.     Take out insurance

d.    Employ staff

e.     Acquire and manage buildings

f.     Organise courses and events

g.     Work with other groups and exchange information

h.    Undertake foreign travel

i.      Carry out any other lawful action to fulfil its aims.

E. Non-Executive Officers

1.    Will be appointed at the discretion of the Co-Chairs to provide support and assistance to the Organisation.

2.    Non-executive Officers may attend Committee meetings but do not hold voting rights.

3.    Such positions can be opened and co-opted with ratification from the Executive Committee.

4.    The Non-Executive Positions are as follows:

a.     President

b.    Parliamentary Patrons

c.     Policy Spokespeople (Specialising in a field)

E. Advisory Board

1.    Will be maintained to provide advice and expertise to the Executive Committee.

2.    Appointments will be made at the discretion of the Co-Chairs, with advice sought from the Executive Committee.

D. Membership

1.    Is open to any person of good standing who is a member or affiliated with the Conservative Party.

2.    Within these restrictions, membership is available without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference, religion, belief, or creed.

3.    The Executive Committee retains the right to withdraw membership from individuals who engage in actions likely to bring the Organisation into disrepute.

4.    The Executive Committee retains the right to introduce a fee for membership.

E. Annual Report

1.    Will be published on the second Friday of June on an annual basis.

2.    It will comprise information regarding finances; membership; structural changes; and changes to the Executive, Non-Executive, and Advisory Boards.

F. Adoption & Amendments:

1.    The Constitution must be adopted by a simple majority vote of a quorate Executive Committee meeting.

2.    Proposals for alterations or replacements can be made by the Co-Chairs.

3.    Proposals must be presented to the Executive Committee, approved by a majority, and supported by both the Co-Chairs and Deputy Co-Chairs.

SIGNED (Executive Committee):

David Moore Co-Chair

Jamie Bartch Co-Chair

Pierre-Louis Plumjeau-Wilby Vice-Chair

Jack Sowerby Vice-Chair

Jamie Bartch Treasurer (interim)

Danielle Terry Events and Fundraising Officer

Lyndon Li Communications Officer

Elliott Malik Secretary

03/12/23