Visit of Italian parliamentarians underscores the warmth of bilateral relations with UK
Between Monday 18 May and Thursday 21 May, the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU) welcomed a cross-party delegation of Italian MPs and Senators to Westminster for a bilateral visit to the British Parliament. The delegation was led by Alessandro Cattaneo MP, Chair of the UK-Italy Friendship Group, alongside his parliamentary colleagues Fabrizio Benzoni MP, Gianmauro Dell’Olio MP, Senator Lavinia Mennuni, Simone Billi MP, and Lia Quartapelle Procopio MP.
Their first morning began with an Introduction to the Westminster System from Liam Laurence Smyth CB, Clerk Adviser at the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Office. This session set the scene for the rest of the delegation’s visit as it delved into the composition and workings of Parliament, as well as its historical traditions. The delegation then got to see these with their own eyes during the tour of the Palace of Westminster provided by Adam Jogee MP. The morning concluded with a welcome lunch in Strangers’ Dining Room, hosted by Alberto Costa MP, Chair of the Italy APPG.
Monday afternoon began with a productive discussion with the Second Deputy Chairman, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP. Key items touched upon during the meeting were young people’s relationship with Artificial Intelligence, the abuse towards female Parliamentarians off the back of the IPU’s recent report on this theme, and post-Brexit migration issues in the UK. This was followed by a meeting between the two respective friendship groups to discuss future activities. As the delegation’s first day in Westminster came to a close, their last meeting of the day was with Solicitor General, The Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP. Here they discussed mutual problems faced in the UK and Italy regarding tackling violence against women and girls, amid rising femicide rates in Italy.
Tuesday morning saw the delegation, accompanied by the newly appointed Italian Ambassador to the UK, H.E Fabio Cassese, go to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to meet with the Political Director, Rt Hon Lord Llewellyn CVO OBE. The main topics of discussion were the situation in the Middle East and both countries’ support for Ukraine. After heading back to Parliament, the Italian members sat down with BGIPU members for a Roundtable which was heavily focussed on the mutual issue of declining birth rates and migration routes. After a group photo on the steps of Westminster Hall, Tuesday morning concluded with a working lunch hosted by Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley MP, BGIPU Treasurer.
As the lunch ended, the delegation met with Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee. Our strong defence partnership, as recently exemplified through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), and through our cooperation more broadly within NATO
was emphasised. The Italian delegation showed a great appreciation for this session as this was a key area of interest. The delegation then spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening with the Embassy at the Estorik Collection, where they had a private viewing of Emilio Isgro artwork, and at the Ambassador’s Residence in Mayfair for a seated dinner.
Wednesday morning started with a meeting on Interfaith dialogue, off the back of the IPU’s Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue titled ‘Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future’ which took place in Rome last year. Chairing the meeting was Venerable Andrew Hillier, Speaker’s Chaplain, who was accompanied by Alex Sobel MP, Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley MP, Ruth Jones MP, and Lord Lemos. This timely meeting touched on the increasing rates of violent antisemitic attacks, alongside xenophobic hatred that both countries are experiencing. This meeting was followed by a discussion with the newly appointed UK Trade Envoy to Italy, Catherine McKinnell MP. Main themes here were the need to mutually recognise qualifications across sectors and to try to break down bureaucratic barriers that are impinging on bilateral trade potential.
Shortly before heading to the final working lunch hosted by BGIPU Vice-Chair Rt Hon Baroness Northover, the delegation had the opportunity to attend Prime Ministers Questions from the Speaker’s Gallery. After having thoroughly enjoyed the lively debate, they settled into their last engagement of the Westminster programme, which was a meeting with Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Here they discussed both countries’ general cross-party support for Ukraine, as well as the detrimental impact that the war is having on energy, fuel and food prices.
On Thursday 21May, the remaining five members of the delegation embarked on a visit to Cambridge. The morning began with a tour of Kings’ College and its Chapel. After a whistle-stop tour, the members headed over to Trinity Hall College where they greeted the Master, Mary Hockaday. After some discussions with the Italian department regarding education and Italian students attending Cambridge post-Brexit, they sat down to lunch for an informal working luncheon with the Master and staff within the Italian Department. Their last engagement before heading to Stansted Airport was a meeting with the Master of Trinity College, Professor Dame Sally Davies, who kindly provided the delegation with a tour of the Masters’ Lodge and a visit to the Wren Library where they were able to see a signed letter of Casanova’s.
The visit proved to be a great success and served to strengthen the existing strong ties between our two countries and respective parliaments.
Italian delegation meet Sir John Whittingdale MP, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee
The Italian delegation meet British counterparts to dicuss inter-faith dialogue, chaired by Speaker's Chaplain
Italian Delegation meet Solicitor General for England and Wales, Ellie Reeves MP
Members of the Italian Delegation visited Cambridge University after their time in Westminster
