Reaffirming close and historic ties between British and French counterparts in visit to Westminster
On Tuesday 9 December, the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU) was pleased to host a delegation from France for a one-day inward visit to the UK Parliament. The delegation was led by Senator Xavier Iacovelli, Chair of the French IPU Group, and included Véronique Riotton MP, Senator Gisèle Jourda, Senator Annick Petrus, Farida Amrani MP, and Marie-Noëlle Battistel MP. They were accompanied by Claire Gloaguen, Administrator at the National Assembly, and Cécile Lambrecq, Administrator at the Senate.
The visit began with a welcome from Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of BGIPU, who provided a tour of the Palace of Westminster. The tour ended with a unique twist as Mr Hamilton presented the delegation with a framed portrait of Frédéric Passy, co-founder of the IPU and recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize for his longstanding commitment to international peace. The portrait now hangs in the IPU Room alongside a bust of his British co-founder, Sir Randall Cremer, symbolising the organisations’ shared history.
Following a short photo opportunity, the delegation met with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for France to discuss UK–France bilateral relations. The meeting was chaired by Ben Lake MP and attended by Baroness Janke, Ben Coleman MP, and Rt Hon Lord Murphy of Torfaen. Discussions covered a range of current issues, including cooperation on shared global challenges, with a clear and recurring emphasis on the importance of continued collaboration in an increasingly complex international environment. This exchange was followed by a working luncheon in the Peers’ Dining Room with BGIPU Officers and Members, providing a further opportunity for informal dialogue and strengthened parliamentary engagement.
In the afternoon, the delegation observed proceedings from the Speaker’s Gallery during a House of Commons debate on the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, offering insight into the distinct practices of UK parliamentary debate.
The visit concluded with a Roundtable discussion, chaired by Fabian Hamilton MP and attended by various BGIPU Members. Conversations focused on key areas of mutual interest, including security and defence cooperation, migration, and the broader European and global policy landscape.
This visit from France, our IPU co-founders, served as a timely reminder of the strength and depth of the UK–France bilateral relationship. It reaffirmed a shared commitment to continued parliamentary cooperation and to working together to address pressing regional and global challenges.
A roundtable discussion between French and British counterparts
A roundtable discussion between French and British counterparts
French and British counterparts in St Stephen's Hall while visiting the Palace of Westminster
The heads of the British and French delegations, Fabian Hamilton MP and Senator Xavier Iacovelli, recall the historic legacies of the IPU founders, Sir William Randal Cremer MP and Frederic Passy which meeting in the IPU Room
