OSCE meeting
The Organization for the Security and Co-operation in Europe has three ‘general committees’ on Political Affairs and Security; Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and the Environment; and Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. John Whittingdale serves on the Political Affairs Committee. Watch the video of his recent contribution to debate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8fJm41TzpA
Tiger Trade
Tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, lions and jaguars are being killed to meet demand for their parts and products, mostly from Chinese consumers. This demand is being sustained and stimulated by government policies – particularly in China – which continues to allow legal trade in big cat products and the commercial breeding of tigers […]
IPU UK France meeting
A delegation of UK parliamentarians from both Houses led by the BGIPU Chair, Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE MP, visited Paris on 26-27 June to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) with members of the French IPU Group. This visit recognised the significant role played by both parliaments in the founding of […]
Guide Dogs event
John Whittingdale MP supported a campaign to tackle discrimination against guide dog owners at an event in Parliament organised by the charity Guide Dogs. John is pictured with June and her dog Shannon, and Robert and his dog, Tud, from Chelmsford. On Wednesday, 19 June, more than a hundred guide dog owners from across the […]
130th anniversary of the IPU
The Chair and Executive Committee of the BGIPU invited members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords to attend a diplomatic reception in Speaker’s House on 25 June 2019 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Members of the Diplomatic Corps and key stakeholders in UK Parliament were also […]
Twinning Anniversary
John Whittingdale attended events to mark the 50th Anniversary of Maldon’s Twinning with Cuijk in the Netherlands. The town of Cuijk is situated on the river Maas in the province of Noord-Brabant, near the German border. There have been regular exchanges between the two towns and strong links established: https://www.twinninglink.org/ Around 40 visitors from Cuijk […]
Climate Change Meeting
John Whittingdale chaired and spoke at a public meeting at the Plume Academy on the subject of Climate Change. The meeting was organised by Jill Bruce, a WI Climate Ambassador, and Hattie Phillips, a Year 8 pupil at Plume Academy. The other speakers were Gareth Redmond-King of WWF-UK, Darren Tansley of Essex Wildlife Trust and […]
Media Freedom
Globally, threats to journalists are the highest they have been in ten years and according to Freedom House, a mere 13% of the global population have access to a free press. As highlighted in a recent House of Lords Library Briefing, UNESCO says every day serves as a reminder that “in dozens of countries around […]
Sailing Boat “Pudge” – Thames Sailing Barge Trust
John Whittingdale helped launch the perpetuation of Sailing Boat “Pudge” by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust at Hythe Quay, Maldon. The project aims to restore “Pudge” by replacing her decking and hatches, improving her facilities and accommodation, researching and interpreting her heritage and addressing the skills shortage in the Thames Sailing Barge community. It is […]
Maldon Mosque
John Whittingdale visited the newly refurbished Maldon Mosque in Church Street run by the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association. Founded in January 1988, the Association purchased the old Labour Hall in 2005 and converted it into a mosque. Following a crowd-funding appeal to the Muslim Community across the country, a new floor was added to […]