UK Commonwealth Minister takes part in twitter Q&A

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This morning, the UK Commonwealth Minister Hugo Swire MP took part in a Twitter question and answer session. He was kind enough to answer a number of our questions on a variety of topics including:

1) His recent lunch with the Commonwealth High Commissioners, the first of its kind:

(No mention of if there will be another one but we'll keep our fingers crossed!)

2) Our push for greater trade between Commonwealth nations, especially for SMEs:

3) Our campaign for a memorial for the Commonwealth fallen in the First World War:

We also asked questions about what Britain can learn from other free-trading Commonwealth countries and about the making the Commonwealth more about its citizens rather than its governments (as discussed by the UK High Commissioner to India recently).

You can look back at all the questions asked and answered on the #AskFCO hashtag but we've included a couple more of the Ministers answers below in response to questions about his vision for the Commonwealth and where he sees it going:

All in all it was a productive and interesting session. We hope for another soon!

UPDATE: The Foreign office have produced a Storify board with all the questions the Minister answered. You can see it here.

CX Campaign for WW1 Commonwealth Memorial welcomed in Parliament

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Pay your respects to the fallen Commonwealth soldiers during the centenary of WW1Commonwealth Exchange's campaign for a memorial to recognise the collective sacrifice of the Commonwealth fallen in the First World War has been welcomed in Parliament. Andrew Rosindell MP, a member of CX's Advisory Board, has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in support of our campaign.

It has so far received cross party support from 23 MPs. We've listed them below. If your MP hasn't signed it yet then encourage them to do so! You can find your MP and their contact details by putting your postcode in here.

It states:

That this House welcomes and supports a new public campaign to recognise the collective sacrifice of the Commonwealth fallen in the First World War through a standalone and distinctive memorial statue in London created and organised by Commonwealth Exchange to mark the centenary of that war, which acknowledges and honours the diverse make-up of the Commonwealth and the UK; and further supports the Government's plans to forge a legacy that demonstrates this Commonwealth endeavour from those of differing extractions, faiths and traditions.

Signatories:

  • Paul Flynn (Labour)
  • John Hemming (Lib Dem)
  • Lady Hermon (Independent)
  • Hugh Bayley (Labour)
  • Dr William McCrea (DUP)
  • David Ward (Lib Dem)
  • John Leech (Lib Dem)
  • David Simpson (DUP)
  • Bob Blackman (Conservative)
  • Paul Murphy (Labour)
  • Martin Caton (Labour)
  • George Howarth (Labour)
  • Naomi Long (Alliance)
  • Alan Meale (Labour)
  • Mike Hancock (Lib Dem)
  • Jim Dobbin (Labour)
  • Julian Lewis (Conservative)
  • John McDonnell (Labour)
  • Jim Shannon (DUP)
  • Andrew Stunell (Lib Dem)
  • Andrew Rosindell (Conservative)
  • Peter Bottomley (Conservative)
  • Bob Russell (Lib Dem)

Update:

Robin is Secretary of the Commonwealth All Party Group in Parliament and a member of CX's Advisory Board.