Henry Smith MP column, RH Uncovered Magazine, August 2015
In June, I was pleased to lead a flag exchange between the UK Parliament and the US Congress, where I welcomed the Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives to London.
As a keen vexillologist (flag enthusiast!) and as an MP proud of the US-UK ‘special relationship’, I was delighted to see the official exchange of a Union Flag that had flown over the Palace of Westminster, and the Stars & Stripes from above Congress.
This was a particularly symbolic event, especially in year of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta – the document which had such a great influence in the formation of democracy both in Britain and across the Atlantic.
Magna Carta helped inspire the 1689 Bill of Rights; and both documents helped formulate the US Bill of Rights a century later.
More recently, I was honoured to be elected as the Co-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare. This is an issue close to my heart, and I will be taking on board the concerns of Crawley residents who regularly contact me – I am pleased that so many people in our town share my own passion to continue the campaign for better treatment for animals.
I am always on hand to assist – never hesitate to let me know if I can help. Please either write to me at the House of Commons, call my office (01293 934554) or email me via henry.smith.mp@parliament.uk
Henry Smith MP