‘We must stick together:’ Member of British House of Parliament makes special visit to North Alabama

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — You don’t see politicians from across the globe in North Alabama often but Lord Ross Kempsell, a member of the British House of the Lords, made a special visit to Huntsville Friday highlighting why the relationship between the U.S. and U.K. is so significant.

Kempsell, who was appointed to the House of Lords in 2023 as a life peer, said his inaugural experience in the South has been full of firsts, but with several ongoing world issues, the British Member of Parliament says both countries are grappling with similar challenges.

His stop in the Rocket City provided a look at North Alabama’s pivotal role in space exploration, taking a tour of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) Friday afternoon. Kempsell tells News 19 that his inaugural experience in the South has been thrilling.

“I traveled in the U.S. Northeast before, I traveled across the country, but I’ve never came to the South so I’m really happy to be in the heartland in the Land of Dixie and to be experiencing true southern culture in Alabama,” Kempsell said.

His trip to USSRC is part of his journey here in America that began in Washington D.C. in an effort to further promote the vital relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Congressman Robert Aderholt, who was absent Friday due to private matters, will travel with Kempsell during his time in Alabama.

The British Baron explained how the mutual partnership between the two countries is more important than ever with both facing what he calls threats to democracy.

“We’re seeing some of those things being challenged, we’ve got rising problems with Russia, with China and the U.S. and the U.K. need to stick together and defend freedom and defend liberty, that’s my strong view,” Kempsell told News 19.

Aside from the seriousness of the trip, Kempsell spoke highly about restaurants he’s visited in North Alabama and said he’ll be taking some of those southern recipes back home.

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