UK and Bangladesh can forge common future after Brexit, says UK MP Nigel Evans

The UK is looking to strengthen relations with Commonwealth nations and share the opportunities emerging from Brexit with Bangladesh, said British MP Nigel Evans.

The UK lawmaker and Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UK) made the remarks at an after-dinner speech on Monday at the British High Commissioner's residence in presence of senior government and opposition members.

“We are leaving the European Union and we want to make absolutely certain that the opportunities that Brexit is going to provide is going to be shared by Bangladesh as well,” said the MP from Ribble Valley.

Evans, who is also the Vice Chair of the International Trade Select Committee, spoke of a renewed effort by Britain to reconnect with the Commonwealth.

 

“I think, maybe, that post-1973, when we joined the European Union, a number of Commonwealth countries felt that we let them down. For that I say sorry tonight.”

“As far as the Commonwealth is concerned, it’s always had a special place in our hearts. What we want to do now is … to make sure that the Commonwealth is put on a pedestal.”

The MP, who is also a member of the International Development Select Committee, expressed his hope Bangladesh would join Britain in building a common future for the two countries.

“Bangladesh is a leading part of the Commonwealth and I want to see us interacting in a way that we’ve never done before,” Evans said.

“Let’s use this as an opportunity to open doors, to shake hands, to embrace one another, and to say we are neighbours, we’re friends, we’ve got a common history together but we’ve got an exciting and, I believe, common future together as well.”

Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, former minister Muhammad Faruk Khan MP, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and representatives from business and the media joined the dinner.