20 December 2016 | Comments
Councillor Pamela Ward Pearce returned from London on Tuesday, 6 December 2016, having attended the 65th Seminar on Parliamentary Practice & Procedures, in the Houses of Parliament.
The Westminster Seminar – attended by approximately 70 delegates, comprising Parliamentarians and Clerks from different jurisdictions across the Commonwealth – ran for one week, beginning Monday 21 and ending Friday, 25 November 2016.
The aim of the Seminar was to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and confidence of first term members of Parliament, and newly-appointed Clerks from the Commonwealth, in the core aspects of their work of Parliamentary Practice & Procedure, within a Westminster framework.
Sessions attended by Councillor Ward Pearce included:
- Parliamentary Administration
- Finance
- Questions & Motions
- Ethics & Standards
- Private Members Bills
- Protection & Security of MPs
- Modernisation of Parliament
- Parliament and Partnership
Councillor Ward Pearce commented:
“Although not all topics were related to St Helena, they were all interesting, especially when contributions to discussions from other jurisdictions allowed comparisons to be made.”
In the last session on the first day, Councillor Ward Pearce was fortunate to sit in the Robing Room, in the heart of Westminster Palace, for a panel discussion on ‘The Commonwealth Brexit’ – a lively discussion exploring the implications of Brexit for Britain’s relationship with the Commonwealth – chaired by Rt Hon David Hanson MP.
A chamber debate also took place where 18 of the delegates volunteered to speak on Motions for three minutes each.
Councillor Ward Pearce said:
“This debate took place in the Palace of Westminster, in Committee Room 10, which is such an awe-inspiring place, and I was honoured to be one of those delegates that spoke.
“The whole week was very useful and worthwhile as it reinforced Parliamentary Practices & Procedures. It provided access to senior serving politicians, from both Houses, and senior officials. It also allowed us to see behind the scenes in Westminster and re-established the strong link within the Commonwealth, proving that there is more that unites us, than divides us. It also further highlighted why Westminster is known as the Mother Parliament.”
A full report of Councillor Ward Pearce’ attendance at the Seminar is now available on the SHG website at:
A photo is attached of Councillor Ward Pearce ‘in action’ at the Seminar.
SHG
19 December 2016
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