Interparliamentary visit from the National Assembly of People’s Power underscores strong bilateral links between UK and Cuba
Between 19 and 23 October, the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU) welcomed a delegation of Cuban parliamentarians to Westminster for a bilateral visit to the UK Parliament. The delegation was led by Dr Enrique Alemán Gutiérrez MP, Chair of the UK-Cuba Friendship Group, and included Dr Marta Hernández Romero MP and Carlos Rafael Fuentes León MP.
The programme commenced on Monday morning with an introduction to the Westminster system delivered by Emma Makey, Head of Strategy and Programmes in the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Office. The session provided an insightful overview of the structure, functions and day-to-day workings of the UK Parliament. Following the briefing, the delegation attended a welcome lunch in the Strangers’ Dining Room hosted by Dan Carden MP. The afternoon programme included meetings with Richard Burgon MP, members of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee chaired by Rt Hon Dame Emily Thornberry MP, and the International Development Committee chaired by James Naish MP. Discussions focused on development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and the challenges posed by water and fuel shortages in Cuba.
On Tuesday morning, Steve Witherden MP led the delegation on a comprehensive tour of the Palace of Westminster, including a visit to the House of Commons Chamber. This provided useful context ahead of a meeting with Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, during which discussions centred on the impact of the United States trade embargo on the Cuban people. Following a brief visit to Westminster Abbey, the delegation attended a working lunch in the Peers’ Dining Room hosted by Baroness Hooper and subsequently observed Oral Questions in the House of Lords. Later that afternoon, the delegation participated in a joint roundtable with members of the BGIPU Executive Committee and the Cuba All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). Discussions highlighted access to fuel as one of the most pressing challenges currently facing Cuba, alongside wider economic reforms and energy security issues. The day concluded with a visit to Chatham House, where the delegation met Dr Christopher Sabatini, Director of the Latin America Programme.
The final day of the Westminster programme began with a visit to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for a meeting with Ben Lyster-Binns, Head of the Latin America Department. Discussions covered the respective parliamentary systems of the UK and Cuba, political freedoms, and ongoing economic reforms. Following a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, the delegation observed Prime Minister’s Questions from the Speaker’s Gallery and experienced first-hand one of the most notable features of parliamentary democracy in action. The delegation then attended a final working lunch hosted by Dame Jessica Morden MP before concluding its Westminster engagements with a meeting with Wera Hobhouse MP, a member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee.
On Thursday, the delegation, accompanied by the Cuban Embassy and the BGIPU Secretariat, travelled to Nottingham to meet Professor Par Kumaraswami at the University of Nottingham and visit the university’s renowned Cuban archive, the Hennessy Collection. The visit provided an opportunity to explore a wide range of materials, including journals, newspaper archives and film resources documenting Cuba’s history and international relations. Following an informal lunch, the delegation attended an event titled The Situation in Cuba: Local Solutions, where academics and students shared their perspectives on current developments in Cuba. Delegates contributed their own reflections and participated in a lively roundtable discussion before travelling onwards to York for the final stage of the visit.
The programme concluded in York, where the delegation was welcomed by Fabian Hamilton MP for a tour of the city’s historic landmarks. The delegation also met with the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells, and Rachael Maskell MP, Member of Parliament for York Central to discuss matters of local government, cultural cooperation and relations between communities. The delegation then had a final working lunch with Dr José A. Gutiérrez, lecturer at the Centre for Applied Human Rights.
The visit was highly successful and provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen parliamentary links and deepen mutual understanding between Cuba and the United Kingdom. Through a wide-ranging programme of political, academic and cultural engagements, the visit further reinforced the strong relationship between our two parliaments and countries.
The delegation met with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Rt Hon Dame Emily Thornberry alongside Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale.
The delegation meeting with Professor Par Kumaraswami of the University of Nottingham.
The delegation had discussions with Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells, Rachael Maskell MP, and Fabian Hamilton MP.
The delegation at the FCDO with Ben Lyster-Binns, Head of the Latin America Department.
