Arnold Schwarzenegger

Cameron invites Arnie to Tory conference

Updated 08.12 Mon Apr 09 2007

David Cameron is to add some Hollywood glitz to this year's Tory Party conference with a guest appearance by movie star-turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Republican Governor of California will join the Conservatives' gathering at Blackpool to deliver a keynote address on climate change.

"It's great he's coming to our party conference, and I very much look forward to welcoming him there" - David Cameron

Mr Cameron said he was "delighted" that Mr Schwarzenegger had accepted the invitation to attend his party's conference.

He added: "Governor Schwarzenegger led a dramatic revival of his party's fortunes in California and as Governor he has shown tremendous leadership - above all in pioneering measures to protect the environment, reaching out to political opponents in doing so.

"It's great he's coming to our party conference, and I very much look forward to welcoming him there."

Mr Schwarzenegger has previously been feted by Tony Blair.

Last year, during a visit to the US by the Prime Minister, they signed a joint accord promoting research into cleaner-burning fuels and technologies.

The compliment was returned earlier this year when Mr Schwarzenegger praised Mr Blair as the "real action hero" in a joint television interview to mark the launch of the British Government's Climate Change Bill.

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