Leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, speaks on the importance of European links and the possibility of expanding ahead of Richmond's twinning reaffirmation weekend.

Richmond is celebrating 65 years of twinning with French and German partners Fontainebleau and Konstanz between 6 and 8 June 2025.

Hundreds of European guests are expected for events including concerts, sports, chess tournaments and a parade.

Richmond Nub News sat down with Cllr Roberts to discuss the events and the opportunity to expand Richmond's European links.

He said: "Have a look at the website and have a look for what's happening in your neck of the woods, because there will be something."

The Council would like to expand Richmond's "family of twins", and says there have been talks with Tabor in Czechia, Alba lulia in Romania and Sintra in Portugal.

"I'd like to see us expand our twinning network, there is enthusiasm and appetite," Cllr Roberts continued.

"We're hoping to see some of [Fontainebleau and Konstanz's] twin towns coming over to join us, not as official twins but as interested partners, like Lodi in Italy."

The council leader firmly believes the close ties between Richmond and Europe will continue benefitting the community.

These ties, he said: "Keep reminding us that, while we're an island nation, we are still part of the continent and we have these links so should cherish them.

"We want to make sure that we're still sending out this positive message that, Richmond is open, we want people to come to us, and we hope that we will be welcomed in return.

"We are not insular, we are not narrow."

French and German flags can be seen around Richmond borough ahead of twinning celebrations (credit: Lucy Blackmur).

Cllr Roberts believes the opportunities twinning gives Richmond are especially important in a post-Brexit UK.

"The impact that Brexit has had on the United Kingdom for the last decade has been appalling.

"Just because there are a few miles of English channel between our citizens and people who live in France, they are denied these opportunities because of a single vote, that poll after poll show us people are now regretting.

"It was a mistake, and events like this can at least go in some small way to show that, we are not some small island, we do want to expand those bonds of friendship."

Cllr Roberts explained that one of the main benefits of Richmond's twinning is the opportunity it gives young people to travel.

He wants his three daughters to be able to travel in Europe with the same ease he could as a young person.

The cllr has just returned from the International Youth Conference in Konstanz with Alan Mockford, the Richmond in Europe Association Chairman, and the students of Orleans Park School.

They met students from France, Germany, Italy, and Czechia.

"Brexit is all about division and separation and this was very much an opportunity for young people to come together," he said.

As the UK is no longer a member of the Erasmus educational programme, Konstanz funded the British delegation costs themselves.

A Ukrainian delegation from Berdychiv was also present at the conference, and Ukrainian students shared their stories.

He admitted: "Seeing these young people come over to share their experiences, to tell us what was going on in their home country, and at the same time have some brief period of respite from what is going on , it was incredibly touching and humbling.

"Its why all this is nonsense, this Brexit and Reform attempt to divide. 

"We should not be allowing ourselves to be divided, particularly when there are far bigger threats just a few thousand miles away in Russia."

Cllr Roberts went on to say that there is potential for twinning links with Ukraine, due to the amount of Ukrainians in Richmond.

The cllr closed with one last emphasis on the importance of maintaining this European connection.

He continued: "We still have this timidity from national politicians who only look this far as the next election, they think that if they go too far on Europe Nigel Farage will storm to victory.

"I don't think they will, people have seen what Brexit looks like, and they don't like it.

"The only way to deal with movements like Reform and people like Farage is to take them head on, and show that there is a progressive, decent alternative."