Tynwald delegation attends Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Ghana
23/10/2023
The Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK, and the Hon Alex Allinson MHK, accompanied by the Clerk of Tynwald Jonathan King, have returned from Accra, Ghana after attending the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC).
Hosted by the Parliament of Ghana and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Ghana Branch, the conference was attended by more than 600 parliamentarians and parliamentary clerks from across the Commonwealth.
Conference delegates were welcomed by the CPA President 2022-2023, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, who said that the conference ‘brings together delegates on a single platform to share their experiences and good practices as well as promoting the values of the Commonwealth. This includes a commitment to the highest standards and principles of democratic governance and parliamentary practice. Democracy will remain elusive if we are not deliberate in our efforts to ensure the independence of parliaments.’
During the conference, Speaker Watterson chaired a Small Branch seminar on ‘The Impact of Population Changes on Small Jurisdictions’. He also attended the Small Branches Steering Committee in his role as Regional Representative for the British Islands and Mediterranean Region, completing three years in that role which included a year as the network’s Vice Chair. During his final meeting, he was thanked for his contribution and enthusiasm by Small Branches Chair, Joy Burch MLA (Speaker, Australian Capital Territory).
During the plenary Mr Speaker addressed all delegates in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees – a body dedicated to sharing best practice in the scrutiny of public finances. He moved a motion promoting the work of public accounts committees and their role in good financial management and information sharing, and encouraged membership of the association. The motion was carried unanimously.
Reflecting on the conference, Mr Speaker said: ‘The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is a rare opportunity for Manx politicians to promote the Isle of Man internationally, as well as learn and share good practice. I am confident that the Isle of Man, already held in high regard around the Commonwealth, will only have enhanced its reputation as a small parliament that achieves big things. Thanks to conferences such as these, the Isle of Man has hosted parliamentarians from Alberta to Pakistan, from the Channel Islands to the Solomon Islands, to explore our unique system and how it works in representing the people of our Island and holding Government to account.’
Parliamentary travel costs are published on the Tynwald website.
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The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will be hosted by the CPC New South Wales Branch and Parliament of New South Wales Parliament in November 2024.
For further information contact:
Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685500
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im