EU ambassadors in Leeds

The ambassadors to the UK of all the other EU countries came to Leeds today - an unusual event, taken on the initiative of the French ambassador (as France currently holds the presidency of the EU Council).

This was no just a "school outing" but an opportunity for ambassadors to get to know the reality of Britain outside London. They visited regeneration projects, met councillors, MPs and an MEP (me) and had briefings from the city architect and others about the development of Leeds and the region's economic prospects, including its links to other parts of Europe.

Doing this as a group also sent a powerful message of partnership, which has not gone unnoticed.

Congratulation to the French ambassador, Monsieur Gourdault-Montagne, for taking this idea forward.