Promoted by John Stainton-Somers on behalf of Heather Wheeler and South Derbyshire Conservatives, both of 1/24 Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Bretby DE15 0YZ

Ambassador @MelBarlowFCDO was delighted to meet Lao Ambassador-Designate to the UK, HE Mayboua Xayavong. 
They discussed UK–Laos priorities, shared interests including Premier League football, and his plans to explore the UK’s historic landmarks 🇬🇧🤝🇱🇦

Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy. They deserve a government that backs them, not one that buries them in tax and red tape. That is why I’m delighted to be part of “Backing Business: Your Voice for Small Business” on Tuesday 6 October at the ICC Birmingham.

Our Acting High Commissioner, Steph Lysaght, met today with Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa to learn about the preparations for Fiji’s General Election. Our shared democratic values are at the core of the UK and Fiji’s friendship and partnership.

The UK and New Zealand High Commissions met with Camco and Sarona Asset Management today as part of our joint efforts to encourage and accelerate investment in Fiji and the Pacific in renewable energies.

Surely this can’t be right? Is the Labour Government so tin eared to really introduce this policy?

🇬🇧🤝🇻🇳 Strengthening UK–Viet Nam education partnerships! The British Consulate General in HCMC met VNUK to explore new opportunities in transnational education, innovation, entrepreneurship, future skills, and the development of a UK Education Hub. #GREATEducation #TNE

Join us for a talk show on UK - Viet Nam Cooperation in Consumer Protection & Product Safety (2025–2026), exploring diverse perspectives on safety in the digital economy. 📷 Watch the talk show here: facebook.com/reel/1032291775…

British Deputy Ambassador Alex Strugnell attended the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 press conference, highlighting the UK–ASEAN Dialogue Partnership and AFF’s role in supporting regional peace and stability. The UK looks forward to constructive exchanges that strengthen cooperation.

Michael Winstanley Takes on Andy Burnham: His Bold Vision for Makerfield By-Election youtube.com/watch?v=gyfSqzgn… #makerfield #byelection #burnham #leadership #manchester #mayor #winstanley @Winstamike @AndyBurnhamGM

Good to hear @peterkyle Looking forward to some ‘aggressive ambition’ from you on: 1️⃣ getting Ed Miliband to adopt our plan for the cheaper energy without which manufacturers can’t compete. 2️⃣ explaining to Rachel Reeves that ‘permanently lower business rates’ doesn’t mean they go up by orders of magnitude. Nor is it a good idea to hike NI by £25 billion, expecting business to foot the bill. 3️⃣ and then you’d probably best find a mirror and say to yourself “if growth is my number one priority, I’d better ditch my own 330 page red tape, employment legislation that’s gonna deny a generation a job.” That’s three just for starters as Conservatives have real plans for the growth that’s not happening on your watch.

Consul General Alexandra Smith welcomed HCMC’s vision for a knowledge-based, innovation-led, people-centred and climate-resilient future. She highlighted UK interest in education, TOD and finance, and noted UKEF’s proposed £5bn financing package for urban rail projects.

Good public financial management builds a country’s economic resilience & ability to withstand crises. Pleased that UK, Australia & the World Bank are supporting Cambodia to assess its public financial management rigorously and train officials across Ministries to build capacity.

A vote for the Conservatives is a vote telling the SNP and Labour that their war on domestic oil and gas must end. There’s only one candidate who can beat the SNP in Aberdeen South, and that’s @DLumsden_MSP .

Grateful to DPM/Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for briefing us this week on discussions with Thailand about the border. This issue remains at the top of the minds of many Cambodians. UK hopes to see dialogue leading to a peaceful, sustainable solution.

This week we celebrated the King’s Birthday Party - our biggest annual event. It’s an evening where we celebrate the UK and say a huge thank you to all our friends and partners for our fantastic collaboration in Cambodia. A few formal photos… 1/2

Today I have met Lucy, Mark and Katie, Henry Nowak’s mother, father and stepmother. Their courage is extraordinary. They have endured the most appalling loss, it is a life sentence for them. They have also faced the agonising decision to release the harrowing body-worn camera footage, knowing how painful it would be and how strongly people would react. They did so because they want truth, accountability and change. They have asked that we work across political parties and religions to rebuild trust in the police. That trust has been broken because of what happened, and I agree with them on that. We must also be prepared to examine, carefully and seriously, religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and other activities that are not conducive to the public good. We also need to examine where the law needs to change. Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together. Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law. What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for. I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy. That is my focus now.

he UK tech sector offers cutting-edge solutions with real-world impact Join us at the London Tech Week 2026 and find your new tech partner from 8-12 June. Learn more at: linkedin.com/company/london-… #GREATTechnology #LTW26

The news about Sir Alex Younger has hit really hard. I met him just once. In February this year, he was the keynote speaker at our parliamentary away day. He was superb. I wished he had been in government when I was in cabinet. Even in retirement he was studiously apolitical. Yet the depth of knowledge, expertise and his sheer love of the United Kingdom and deep commitment to her defence and safety shone through with his remarks and answers to even the most knotty questions. He gave candid advice on how to use our time in opposition to get ready for defence and national security in this new geopolitical era. So much of the recent policy work and research we have started and announced was based on his recommendations. There is so much to do and so little time. It was a real privilege to have a long lunch with him that day. I am grateful for the time he spent with me and deeply sad to know our agreement to have further conversations will now not happen. It is odd to feel such a loss for someone I only met once but his death is a loss not only of a remarkable man, but of the wisdom, insight and clarity he still had to offer. He was a great man who loved, fought for and defended our country in ways we will never know. May he rest in peace.

Yesterday at the Pacific Aid for Trade Day in Suva, our Regional and Development Officer, Catherine Mara, joined government stakeholders and development partners at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

🇬🇧🇹🇴 We extend heartfelt thanks to HE Philip Malone LVO for his leadership and service in strengthening UK–Tonga ties . His tenure has been marked by respect, collaboration, and a deep connection with Tonga. Wishing him success in future endeavours, with lasting ties to Tonga.