A Post-Election Seminar for Anguilla’s Parliamentarians has been the main event on the island this week. It was a five-day Post-Election Seminar delivered by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) using Zoom video-conferencing software as the virtual means of communication. The event, ending this Friday, was described as “a landmark event” in the history of the CPA in that regard.
Mr Stephen Twigg via Zoom
The participants have been the members of the Anguilla Progressive Movement Government, elected for the first time to the House of Assembly, and those who have been serving for the past five years from the Anguilla United Front Government.
The seminar, dealing with various matters related to parliamentary good practice, comprised such subject areas as: Services and Resources for Members; Administration and Financing of Parliament; Behaviour, Ethics and Standards; the Legislative Process; Amendments, Debates, Parliamentary Questions, Motions and Private Members’ Bills; the Role and Authority of the Speaker; Balancing Government and Parliamentary Roles; the Opportunities and Challenges of being a Newly-Elected MP; Parliaments in the 21st Century; Empowering Female Voices In Parliament; the Role of Select Committees; and the Role of the Public Accounts Committee.
In his opening address, Mr. Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General Elect of the CPA, said the seminar was being hosted by the CPA Secretariat in conjunction with CPA, UK. “You joined a new Parliament at what is obviously a hugely challenging time to all of us across the world,” he told the Anguillian Parliamentarians. “My observation today is that, at this time, it is more important than ever that we reaffirm our shared Commonwealth values of good governance, open transparent Government and democratic norms. And to do that is vital – is vital if we are to maintain and strengthen trust and confidence of citizens in parliamentarians.
“CPA’s work is of course to support you, as legislators, and to support the legislature. To do that, through parliamentary strengthening programmes, we have found that the Post-Election seminars are particularly an effective way that engages the specific challenges in a country – and offers tailored solutions based on engagement from you, as the parliamentarians, and the staff working in the Parliament.
“This event is a landmark Post-Election Seminar because it is the first ever fully-digital seminar. This, of course, is a consequence of the [Covid-19] situation. I would much rather to be with you, in Anguilla, but for all our safety we are conducting this on a virtual basis.
“The aim is to build and to strengthen capacity both of new Parliamentarians and seasoned experienced ones as well. Looking at the agenda, there is a wide range of subjects – from the use of Standing Orders to Empowering Female Voices in Parliament. I am especially proud of the role played by our Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians in our organization and, in particular, the contribution that they have made to the increasing numbers of women being elected to Parliament across the Commonwealth.”
Other CPA officials involved in the Post-Election Seminar included Mr. Jack Hardcastle, of the CPA Headquarters, who did the introductory portions of the seminar; and Mr. John Davies, Chief Executive, CPA, UK.
Anguilla’s newly-elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, was called upon to address the gathering. “First, and foremost, I would like to thank the team from the CPA Secretariat for their hard work, and general support, in planning and delivering this Post-Election Seminar which marks a milestone for the CPA and Anguilla as the first of its kind – being virtual.”
She continued: “I would also like to thank the members of the Assembly for your commitment to attend this seminar. This demonstrates your own commitment to democracy and good parliamentary governance.
“For those of you who are new to the Assembly, I hope that it will be a learning experience. For those of us returned, a valuable refresher; and for all of you, an opportunity to reflect on your work as Parliamentarians – to renew your commitments to the people of Anguilla.
“Honourable Members, we are here today in the spirit of shared learning and partnership. The CPA Secretariat and the CPA UK and BMIR have been reliable partners of the House of Assembly, and we have benefitted tremendously from those partnerships. This is our second Post-Election Seminar. However, our cooperation extends way beyond the delivery of post-elections seminars.
“During the previous Assembly, we engaged in numerous partnerships – (1): with the CPA UK that resulted in extensive capacity building for our Public Accounts Committee and, for the first time in the history of our Assembly, the people of Anguilla; (2): In collaboration with CPA, UK, we undertook a significant amount of work aimed at reviewing our Standing Orders which will serve as the foundation for future work; (3): With the CPA Secretariat, the Assembly benefitted from training for our former Speaker and Deputy Speaker at McGill University; and (4): also with the CPA Secretariat, the Assembly demonstrated a degree of maturity when, in February 2020, it undertook the CPA Benchmark Assessment.”
The Speaker added: “Honourable Members, this is a pivotal moment as we take these steps to enhance our work as Parliamentarians on behalf of Anguilla. We must therefore challenge the status quo; elevate our discourse; and engage the public meaningfully – not only through our words and actions, but also by being more accessible to them.”
Governor Tim Foy, OBE, thanked the CPA for its long enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with Anguilla. He was also grateful for the effective and innovative approach to the election observation in Anguilla, with expert teams scattered across five locations outside the island.
Governor Foy joined the CPA in congratulating all the newcomers as well as the returning members of the House of Assembly on their elections and appointments. “Whichever side of the House you sit on, you play a vital role in upholding and progressing Anguilla’s democracy,” he told them. “On the issue of progressing democracy, the very composition of this House – the 12th – reflects the first changes to Parliament since the Constitution of 1992. Changes brought about by the 2019 Constitutional Reform are changes which truly promote representational democracy – specifically the expansion of the House from nine to eleven members, all of whom have been elected…Secondly, the introduction of island-wide representatives; and thirdly, a House which has far greater representation with women and youth than any that went before it – a House that visibly reflects the composition of the people of this great island. These are things to be celebrated.”
The Governor took the opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated work of the Parliamentary Clerk, Mr. Joash Proctor, and his team, in the House. He described Mr. Proctor as “the human repository of the rules and procedures which allow the House to perform its business efficiently and in conformity with those rules.” He added: “You have played that role with great dignity and good humour and, above all, you are trusted by all.”
Following the opening ceremony, the Post-Election Seminar commenced its schedule of activities for the next several days, until Friday, July 24.
