CPA UK

Based in the heart of the UK Parliament, CPA UK has worked to support and strengthen parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth since our establishment in 1911.

Working with over 60 countries and jurisdictions across the Commonwealth our approach of peer to peer learning is central to our methodology. We design bespoke programmes and projects between parliamentarians and staff in the UK and other Commonwealth parliaments to enable and facilitate knowledge-sharing and development of good-practice.

Our programmes are intended to achieve improved parliamentary oversight, scrutiny and representation.

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states.

It is home to 2.4 billion people and over 60% of these are under 30. Leaders of the Commonwealth meet every 2 years to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest.

Commonwealth nations work together to implement our shared values and principles which are in the Commonwealth Charter.

"CPA UK carries out important work to strengthen the bonds between our Parliament and others around the world...One of the Commonwealth's great strengths is its human networks and the many associated organisations that work outside the government. The links between Commonwealth parliamentarians are an excellent example of this."

Rt Hon. Theresa May MP, former UK Prime Minister and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office

Our Vision

Inclusive, representative and transparent Commonwealth Parliaments that are fully effective in enforcing the accountability of the executive and representing the interests and concerns of the electorate.

Our Mission

To support and strengthen Commonwealth parliaments to deliver effective oversight, scrutiny and representation of their governments.

Our Purpose

To learn from and strengthen Commonwealth parliaments to deliver effective oversight, scrutiny and representation.

British Islands and Mediterranean Region

CPA Branches are divided into nine geographic regions, and each region engages in its own programme of activities. The Regions are: Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean (BIM), Canada, Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA), India, Pacific, South-East Asia. 

CPA UK is part of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) and also serves as its Secretariat. 

Along with CPA UK, the other branches that make up CPA BIMR are: Alderney, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, The Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Ireland, St Helena, Scotland and Wales

More information about CPA BIMR, including recent programmes and useful resources, can be found here.

General Election 2024

Our Executive Committee is made up of 20 parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords .

Following the 4 July 2024 General Election a new Executive Committee will be elected.  The date of the Annual General Meeting at which they will be elected will be announced in due course.

Our Executive Committee are trustees of our charity and directors of our company, providing oversight and advice on the strategic direction of our work and ensuring we are foremost an 'organisation of parliamentarians for parliamentarians'.