Foreign Press Association

The FPA was founded in 1888 and is the only association of its kind in the UK.
Politically non-aligned, the FPA is one of the oldest clubs for foreign correspondents in the world. The FPA is a member of the UK Press Card Authority and provides accreditation to more than 1500 journalists every year, representing all media from news agencies to print, broadcast and internet.

Access to Parliament

The Foreign Press Association has long been responsible for facilitating access for overseas journalists to the Press Galleries at the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Such passes are available for those members based in the UK on a long term basis and who may wish to make regular use of access to Parliament. They are designed for frequent attendees and those journalists required by their outlets to cover the UK Parliament and political scene on a regular basis.

Details of how to apply and the procedures involved can be obtained from the Foreign Press Association office.

Members of the FPA who want to make occasional visits to Parliament may request a ticket for a specific date by emailing the Director of the FPA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , copied to Jerry Lewis, long-time member of the FPA and Westminster based correspondent, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Requests for tickets should be made at least 24 hours in advance.  Please give your name, organisation, position, address and phone numbers, including a mobile number and an email address.

Please note these arrangements only apply to the House of Commons Chamber or Westminster Hall (where some less controversial debates are regularly held).  Those seeking to attend a session of a House of Commons Select Committee or other meetings in Parliament need not make such an application, although FPA members should be aware that there are very limited spaces available to journalists in committee rooms, especially for high profile meetings.

For further enquiries concerning access to Parliament and passes please contact Christopher Wyld at the FPA.

For questions about Parliament itself please consult the Parliament website, www.parliament.uk or contact the Parliamentary information helpline, 020-7219-4272 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .