Patrons’ letter to the Sunday Telegraph

We are delighted to announce the publication of an open letter in the Sunday Telegraph marking the United Kingdom’s accession into the CPTPP. As of today, the UK is part of one of the largest trade agreements in the world, and we are the first country outside of the Pacific to join. Our President Lord Hannan, vice-President Andrew Rosindell MP and patrons Lord Frost, Sir Christopher Chope MP, Bob Blackman MP, Peter Bedford MP, and Lewis Cocking MP discuss how the CPTPP provides a sound bedrock for CANZUK.

You can read the letter, and readers comments, here (note, behind a paywall). 

Canzuk opportunities

SIR – We are parliamentary patrons of the Conservative Friends of Canzuk. Canzuk is a concept calling for closer ties between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Four countries that are all Commonwealth realms, have the same legal and parliamentary systems, strong military bonds, and increasing economic ties.

We are excited by the opportunities that have been opened by the UK acceding to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) today. The UK’s accession means all four Canzuk countries are now members of the CPTPP. For the first time, all four countries are within the same free trade area. We believe this is not only an important next step for global Britain, but an important step towards Canzuk.

Deepening Canzuk ties makes sense. We already have free trade agreements between the four countries. However, a Canzuk FTA would remove even more barriers between the four countries and unlock the economic potential of a market worth $6.6 trillion.
Going further, we already have AUKUS, ABCANZ, the Five Power Defence Agreements and the Five Eyes intelligence pacts. Formalising a Canzuk security pact would deepen pre-existing ties between our natural allies.

In short, the CPTPP demonstrates where the strengths of Canzuk lie: a potent example of liberal trade and liberal democracy in contrast to the China-Russia-based alliance forming in Asia-Pacific. We call on the Government, the Conservative Party, and all UK political parties to pledge their support for Canzuk today.

Lord Hannan of Kingsclere

Andrew Rosindell MP

Lord Frost of Allenton 

Sir Christopher Chope MP

Bob Blackman MP

Peter Bedford MP

Lewis Cocking MP