CX is putting the Commonwealth on the agenda

Part of our mission at CX is reminding the UK of its Commonwealth opportunities and potential as well as ensuring that the Commonwealth is at the heart of public debate and political discussion.

In the last few days we've been doing just that, publishing a number of articles on a variety of topics and platforms. Here are a few of our recent pieces:

Telegraph: Commonwealth citizens could swing the EU referendum

Our Chairman Lord Howell and our Executive Director Tim Hewish have written for the Daily Telegraph pointing out that Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK will be able to vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

They could represent a swing of up to 6%, more than enough to change the outcome. Both sides of the debate would be foolish to ignore these crucial potential voters.

Read the full piece here.

ConHome: The Government is wrong. We need more students from the Commonwealth to stay and work in Britain.

Our Director Ralph Buckle wrote for the ConservativeHome website attacking government proposals further cracking down on international students wishing to work in the UK.

He concludes: "even the suggestion of [these proposals] is damaging Britain in myriad ways. If they are implemented, it could take decades for us to recover."

Read it here.

The Commentator: UK could do a lot worse than becoming “an Atlantic Singapore”

Ralph also wrote for The Commentator at the weekend. He rebutted an article which was critical of Singapore and instead said that the UK could learn a lot from the city state.

He argued that "Singapore is easily one of the most open nations on the planet, and one of the least corrupt... In or out of the EU, Britain could certainly do with a dose of Singapore’s entrepreneurial zeal."

You can find the article here.

ConWayForward: Six reasons to support free trade with the Commonwealth

Completing a hat-trick of articles, Ralph also penned a piece for Conservative Way Forward's blog.

He set out six reasons why the Commonwealth should be our first port of call for increasing and liberalising trade.

See if you agree here.

Henry Bellingham MP joins CX Advisory Board

We're pleased to announce that Henry Bellingham MP has joined our Advisory Board!

Henry is the Chair of the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and served as the UK's Minister for Africa, the Caribbean, the Overseas Territories between 2010-2012 (alongside our Chairman Lord Howell who was Commonwealth Minister at the time).

He has also served as the Shadow Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, and as Member of the Trade and Industry Select Committee. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Advisory Board and we are delighted to welcome him.

He joins a number of other Parliamentarians on the board, including APPG colleagues Robin Walker MP and Kate Hoey MP, as well as representatives from across the Commonwealth.

Henry has been supportive of CX from the start speaking at the launch event for Tim's book and attending our own Launch in July 2013. It's great to have him on board!

Henry (second from left) with the Secretary General, High Commissioners, MPs, Peers, and the CX team at our Launch Event

L-R: Henry, Richard Graham MP, CX Exec. Director Tim Hewish, Kate Hoey MP, and Lord Popat at Tim's book launch

Commonwealth Exchange launches a new vision for the Commonwealth

On 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"]