Bahrain: A Former Bahrain resident has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Heather Harper, who is British Conservatives Abroad chairwoman, told the GDN she was “incredibly humbled” by the honour, which stands for member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire which she has received “for political service”.
Ms Harper moved to Bahrain with her family in 1980 and she eventually headed Bahrain TV’s then-fledgling English language operation.
“I feel very humbled, incredibly honoured and very tearful, actually, to have received it,” she said.
“It’s terrific to be in the Queen’s birthday honours, I never would’ve expected it. It came as a great surprise.
“They ask you a couple of months before if you would accept the honour, but until it’s printed in the London Gazette you don’t know.” In the coming months the palace where the ceremony will take place will be revealed, added Ms Harper.
“I recently lost my husband who was a long-time resident of Bahrain and why I was out there to begin with, and I so wanted to tell him,” she said.
“As well as my father, who started me on the political ladder as I received the award for political service.
“I was born into a true-blue conservative family and I believe being engaged in local politics makes you engaged in the community.
“I have a tremendous love for Bahrain and I was involved in the community there – and that was all the work I did through the Information Affairs Ministry.”
She said since moving back to the UK in 1992, she has been involved in local politics. “I was Beaconsfield Conservatives Constituency Association chairwoman until 2011 and most recently I’ve headed up the Conservatives Abroad for the past five years,” she added.
“We have wonderful supporters in Bahrain and at the moment are concentrating on the Votes for Life bill to give all British citizens the right to vote when they’re overseas.
“I’m really thankful for all the support from people around the world, particularly British expats in the Gulf, who have encouraged overseas registration.”
During her time with Bahrain TV, Ms Harper became a pioneer for English language programming in the country through her work as a writer and producer.
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