Westminster seminar was 'unique opportunity', says MLC

Dawn Kinnish attended the five-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK event

The 73rd Westminster seminar on effective parliaments provided 'a unique opportunity to examine and reflect on parliamentary processes and procedures'.

That's according to MLC Dawn Kinnish who attended the five-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK event last month.

It all got underway on 10 March with a service of celebration in Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day.

Mrs Kinnish said: "It was an honour to witness the celebration of Commonwealth tradition and culture in Westminster Abbey and for members of the Commonwealth 'family' to be united in celebration, in the presence not only of the King and Queen but also the future King and Queen – the Prince and Princess of Wales - and the Princess Royal.

"Engaging with parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth, I was proud to be an unofficial ambassador for the Isle of Man and to reinforce the message that Tynwald is the oldest continuous parliament in the world. 

"It was also quite revealing how few of the delegates were aware of our tricameral system.

"The seminar served as a useful forum in which to meet with many other Commonwealth parliamentarians, especially those from African nations, and to hear about their work on social issues. 

"I also found what the female politician from Kenya had to say about the ongoing challenges for women in politics and her campaign to end female genital mutilation compelling.

"I also shared with delegates how Tynwald’s strong female representation had happened organically, without the need for quotas, a development that many delegates found particularly interesting. 

"My conversations with delegates from Africa, Australia, Canada, Gibraltar, Jamaica, BVI, Cyprus and Malta highlighted how, although we may be different in many ways, fundamentally we have many common challenges."

Mrs Kinnish praised the Westminster educational outreach team for their work in engaging young people in parliamentary democracy. 

She added: "I was also interested to hear how Westminster is looking at House of Lords reform again, which may consider whether members should be publicly rather than directly elected and measures to reduce the number of Lords, which is currently in excess of 800.

"What I took away from the seminar is that clearly there’s no such thing as a perfect parliamentary system and that there is unity amongst Commonwealth countries. 

"It was evident that parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth value the support the CPA provides, and that CPA members recognise and respect how Tynwald has stood the test of time."