Throughout the 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference hosted in Bridgetown by the Parliament of Barbados, the UK delegation took part in formal and informal discussions with other parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth. 

UK and Canadian parliamentarians discussed the strength and opportunities of the bilateral relationship in the context of current geopolitical circumstances and where continuing dialogue would be helpful.  The meeting with the Speaker of the Pakistan Senate also focussed on strengthening bilateral relations.  In a meeting with Fijian parliamentarians, discussions centred on common challenges despite disparate contexts. 

CPA UK delegates’ contributions in formal conference sessions covered a broad range of topics and perspectives.   At a Youth Roundtable with young people from Barbados, Chris Webb MP spoke about offering young people motivational activities – such as through sport - to help them navigate the real-life risks and perceived easy wins presented by various forms of criminality.   Alongside parliamentarians from Canada, Australia and Tonga they spoke about contemporary challenges and case-studies where national and community action has supported positive change. 

Kate Osamor MP, Baroness Ann Taylor and Karen Bradley MP spoke at the Commonwealth women parliamentarians conference in workshops on good practices and strategies to achieve gender sensitive parliaments and combatting discriminatory laws, making points about good progress in the UK, but highlighting areas where there is more to do. 

Lord Syed Kamall spoke at the General Assembly debate on The Commonwealth – A Global Partner, stressing the importance of the Commonwealth’s partnership with other international organisations and non-Commonwealth countries to better leverage its international strength. 

At a workshop on championing the human factor for gender and accessibility, delegates learned more about the pre-CHOGM process for countries to influence the agenda and potential outcomes.  They also found the workshop on the impact of climate change on health highly informative and educational. 

A highlight of the conference was the opportunity to meet and hear from Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley MP.  She held the attention of the packed conference auditorium during her lecture on the Commonwealth’s role in protecting democracy and the impact of climate change on small states.  The Prime Minister’s reflections on honesty and integrity in politics resonated with an audience with the shared goal to strengthen their democratic institutions. 

Before the Conference started, the British High Commission in Bridgetown arranged some meetings for the visiting UK delegation.  These included a visit to the port where the UK is part of a consortium supporting locally-led initiatives to improve data collection, by using digital tools, including AI, to help with coral reef preservation and to map local fishing fleet routes.  After that, parliamentarians took part in a speed mentoring event with students at the University of the West Indies.  The UK politicians learnt about the challenges facing young people in the region and shared their own learning and experiences from their respective political careers. 

CPA UK is grateful to the Parliament of Barbados for hosting and facilitating the Conference.  It gave delegates unfettered access to useful dialogue and opportunities to learn and listen to different perspectives on a broad range of issues of concern to international representatives, legislators and custodians of accountability. 

CPA UK delegation at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados