Greg Hands has hosted a delegation of visiting parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth to observe his work as MP for Chelsea and Fulham, to learn about the functioning of the British Parliament, and to see some of the country’s world class health services.
The visit was organised through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which unites politicians and officials from across the Commonwealth in order to learn about each other’s countries, cultures, and systems of democracy. The group which visited Chelsea and Fulham this Friday included both elected politicians and parliamentary clerks from Bangladesh, Canada, Kenya, Rwanda, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea. The trip to Greg’s constituency was made as part of a five-day programme to explore parliamentary democracy, practice and procedure in Westminster. The programme highlighted current best practice and how Parliaments adapt to changing domestic and global political environments.
During the visit, the group observed Greg conducting a constituency surgery in Fulham Library and spoke with some of his constituents. They learned about some of the issues local residents face and the role of Members of Parliament in helping with cases. They also met Greg’s office staff and spoke about similarities and contrasts between parliamentary systems around the Commonwealth.
The centrepiece of the visit was a tour of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and its world leading HIV/AIDS treatment and research facilities. The group was hosted by Dr Anton Pozniak, HIV Service Director, to discuss the latest advances in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, as well as public health and prevention strategies. Members of the group were keen to learn how social attitudes had influenced efforts in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.
The visit concluded with a tour of Greg Hands’s parliamentary office in Westminster, and a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
Following the visit, Greg said: “I am delighted to host some of my colleagues from across the Commonwealth and show them a bit of my life as an MP.
"I am proud to have Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in my constituency, and to be able to show some of its pioneering work in the field of HIV/AIDS. HIV is particularly prevalent in parts of the Commonwealth, and I’m pleased the group was interested in the issue and hope they will take back some knowledge which will be useful in their own countries in the fight against this disease.”
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association or CPA is an active network of over 17,000 parliamentarians from Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures. Through dialogue, it seeks to foster co-operation and understanding between Parliaments, promote good parliamentary practice and advance parliamentary democracy. A global body, the CPA currently comprises 175 Branches over 6 continents and in 54 countries.