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Britishers admire Dubai's success

She has been a Government Minister in both Margaret Thatcher's as well as John Major's governments. She  first entered the Cabinet in 1992, as the fifth woman ever, serving successively as Secretary of State for Health, and National Heritage (now Culture, Media and Sport). Virginia was subsequently elevated as a Life Member of the House of Lords as Rt. Hon. Baroness Virginia Bottomley of Nettlestone in 2005.

Additionally, She is also a Trustee of The Economist newspaper, and  a Governor of the prestigious  London School of Economics. She is also Pro-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, in addition to being a member of the UK Advisory Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, as well as Cambridge University Judge Institute of Management Studies. She is also the President of Farnham Castle, the Centre for International Briefing.

She is one of the Guest Speakers at the Khaleej Times International Forum due to take place on 25th February 2006. She spoke on a number of issues in a an exclusive interview to Khaleej Times.

Javed Malik (JM): The Conservative Party has been on an all-time high after David Cameron's election. He has charisma, but lacks parliamentary experience — do you think he is Prime Minister material?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: The general rule is that new leaders are the youngest. David Cameron has many more years of experience. He was working with cabinet ministers, including me, in the early 1990s. He also has more commercial experience than many present ministers. His appeal is partly because of what he says, partly because of what he represents and partly because of his appeal to women in particular.

JM: The Conservative Party has been accused of being 'out of touch' with the masses, which cost it the last two elections. In a multi-cultural Britain, why has the Conservative Party still not been able to produce ethnic minority MPs unlike Labour?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: Remember Margaret Thatcher and John Major had many Cabinet colleagues who had at least one parent or grandparent who had been an economic migrant or refugee. The same opportunities will bring more visible ethnic minorities into higher ranks. I and many others are mentoring black, Asian and Muslim candidates. Do not overlook Conservative peers — if they behave in a way that their skin colour is not noticed, they still exist. If Labour had been in power for 18 years up to 1997, talented Muslims interested in political service would most likely have joined the Conservatives. Without the votes "wasted" on the Liberal Democrats, the next fifty Conservative gains would have included Muslims. I am the House of Lords member of the Candidates Committee helping to bring fresh ideas as to how we can attract and assist a more diverse group into the party and then into the parliament. I have seen a transformation in relation to women in my lifetime. When I was elected to Parliament in 1985, only 5 per cent of MPs were women. Now 20 per cent of MPs are women. We can do the same with people of different faiths.

JM: The war in Iraq divided public opinion in Britain. Your party supported the war on Iraq — When you look back, do you think the situation in Iraq now is any better than it was under Saddam?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: Saddam attacked two Muslim nations and persecuted his own fellow nationals. One question is whether he should have remained in power. The answer is no. The second question is why there are continuing attacks by Muslims on Muslims, why some young people are encouraged to kill themselves together with Iraqis around them. Overall, the situation is seen as better. In important areas, life is dangerous but nothing like as dangerous as the battles with Iran or the consequences of getting thrown out of Kuwait.

JM: Britain and countries of the Muslim World have always shared strong relations. Britain continues to play a significant role on the world stage. How do you think these relations can be improved?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: Co-operation for prosperity and peace is the way that worked in the past and the way to a better future. Liberty, the rule of law, open markets and being world citizens together have worked well - let us go on working together, encouraging the role of the media to comment, exposing wrongdoing and evil. Friends of the nations of the Middle East know that Palestinians have had a raw deal, in part because of Israel's interventions but also because their future had to be compromised by other factors. Britain understands the feelings throughout the region.

JM: Recent Events in Europe — such as the blasphemous cartoons — have posed further challenges to the relations between the Muslim World and Europe. Many have suggested that Dialogue between the two civilisations is the only way forward so that better understanding can emerge between Muslim World and Europe. What needs to be done to promote this dialogue?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: The cartoons may, especially on re-publication, have been a provocative expression of editorial freedom. It is certain that part of the reaction has been very dangerous to members of the crowds involved. I suggest in the short term we all do more to know and understand each other better. My children and grandchildren are working with Muslims in harmony in school, university, hospital, business and in banking. Dialogue helps but ordinary life experiences are better. None of us need to be isolated. Education, travel, diplomacy and commerce all have an important part to play in creating the world we want to share. As Winston Churchill said, "increased travel and increased prosperity are the two great civilisers of mankind".

JM: Are you looking forward to your visit to Dubai — How do you view the progress in the UAE over the last few years?

LADY BOTTOMLEY: There is tremendous admiration and respect for Dubai's achievements. Jeffrey Sampler and Saeb Eigner, authors of 'Sand to Silicon: Achieving Rapid Growth Lessons from Dubai" pinpoint the reasons for Dubai's success as: visionary leadership that is inspirational and ready to embrace risks, a leanness of organisational structure and bureaucracy that helps speed things up, openness to outside influence and competition, and to the views of all stakeholders, good communication channels and access to decision-makers, and a business culture founded on trust, but not without regulation where it is necessary to reinforce trust and confidence. These are good values. I am looking forward to speaking at the Forum.

 

 

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