CX welcomed in Parliament

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Commonwealth Exchange''s supporters in Parliament have tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) welcoming the foundation and its aims as well as calling greater engagement with the Commonwealth. The text of the EDM is as follows:

That this House welcomes the creation of Commonwealth Exchange (CX), a new foundation established to promote a 21st century vision of the Commonwealth with particular focus on trade, education and defence; notes that CX will add value and complement existing organisations, while making the case for a revived Commonwealth that will advance the UK in the global race as well as lifting millions out of poverty through deeper small and medium-sized enterprise trade and investment ties; and urges the Government to re-engage with the potential and power of our shared Commonwealth that consists of developed, developing and emerging economies with over two billion people, operating in every habitable continent and in each world time zone for the betterment of all involved.

You can find the EDM on the parliament website here. If your MP hasn't signed it, please encourage  them to do so. You can do this through their own websites or by using this service.  Include the number of the EDM (429) and let us know if you get any response!

The current signatories are:

  • Henry Bellingham MP, Conservative MP for North West Norfolk and Chair of the Commonwealth Group
  • Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Conservative MP Worthing West
  • Gregory Campbell MP, DUP MP for Londonderry East and Party Spokesperson for International Development
  • John Cryer MP, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead and Chairman of Labour for a Referendum
  • Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Labour MP for Birkenhead
  • Andrew George MP, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives and former Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
  • Mike Hancock CBE MP, MP for Portsmouth South
  • Kate Hoey MP, Labour MP for Vauxhall and Member of the Commonwealth Group
  •  Sir Alan Meale MP, Labour MP for Mansfield and Executive Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
  • Andrew Rosindell MP, Conservative MP for Romford and Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee
  • Sir Bob Russell MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester and Member of the Defence Select Committee
  • Jim Shannon MP, DUP MP for Strangford
  • Virendra Sharma MP, Labour MP for Ealing Southall
  • David Simpson MP, DUP MP for Upper Bann and Party Spokesperson for Business, Innovation and Skills
  • Robin Walker MP, Conservative MP for Worcester and Secretary of the Commonwealth and Trade out of Poverty Groups

Commonwealth Exchange launches a new vision for the Commonwealth

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CX Launch eventOn 3rd July Commonwealth Exchange (CX) welcomed the Secretary General, High Commissioners, parliamentarians, businesspeople, stakeholders and supporters to its launch event in Westminster. The event included speeches from CX's Directors Tim Hewish and Ralph Buckle, CX's Chairman Lord Howell of Guildford (Former UK Commonwealth Minister, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society and Chair of the Council of Commonwealth Societies) as well as by His Excellency Mr Gavin Nicholas, High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago.

Lord Howell praised CX describing it as "a mighty cause, good for Britain, good for the Commonwealth Network and good for peace and stability across the planet… I see a great new page turning in this country’s history. I see a new phase emerging.”

The Commissioner also strongly commended the initiative saying he was “certain it will result in enhanced trade and educational linkages across the Commonwealth”.

The Directors set out their vision for the Commonwealth, not as a relic or as a new trade bloc, but as a powerful network reaching across the globe. This network, if embraced, has the potential to raise millions out of poverty and bring education, security and prosperity to millions more. They also presented just some of the varied and exciting programmes CX wishes to run.

Further reading

Lord Flight, a member of CX's Advisory Board, previewed the event on ConservativeHome

Supporters in Parliament tabled an Early Day Motion welcoming CX

The High Commissioner has posted about the event on his website

Robin Walker MP who is also a member of the CX Advisory Board and serves as Secretary for the Commonwealth and Trade out of Poverty groups in Parliament wrote about the event on his website

Photos from the event:[gallery columns="4" ids="320,321,323,324,325,326,327,328,329,330,332,333,334,337,338,340,341,342,344,345"]