Commons speaker introduces Macron with tribute to Britain and France’s shared history

The speaker of the House of Commons has paid tribute to the UK and France’s relationship, saying the countries’ shared history went back more than 900 years.

“Our shared history goes back now over 900 years. But the Entente Cordiale began relatively recently, going back 120 years”, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said.

“Since then, our states have had a broad and deep partnership working together on European and global security. Together with peaceful ties we have cooperated on defence in the past.

“We have fought side-by-side with France in the First World War. In every town and every village, our memorials remember those who went to war and did not return.”

Sir Lindsay went on to recall “the Chorley Pals” in his own constituency, who went to France to fight and “do what had to be done”.

He added: “Again, in the Second World War we were proud to form a base for the French government-in-exile. The beginning of the end of the war came on the beaches of Normandy. In 1944, speaker Clifton Brown led a parliamentary delegation to visit Allied troops on the frontline in Normandy, and France has never forgotten how we fought together.”

Turning to Emmanuel Macron, Sir Lindsay said: “Like you, Mr President, I am a big sports fan. When people think of French sport they often think of cycling, rugby union, fencing, of football.

“My own team Bolton Wanderers had a fantastic French player, Youri Djorkaeff, when we were a good team.”

Sir Lindsay recalled how French rugby league was formed following a visit to the UK in 1934.

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