CPA NEWS CPA CELEBRATES THE PLATINUM JUBILEE OF ITS PATRON The CPA joined Commonwealth and international organisations in celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and paid tribute to her remarkable achievements over 70 years. Queen Elizabeth II has supported the organisation since her accession to the throne in 1952 and later became the Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 1989, when the role was first established along with that of Vice-Patron. The CPA Vice-Patron is usually the head of state or head of government of the CPA Branch who will host the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The Queen has enjoyed a close relationship with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association over the years and has visited almost every Parliament in the Commonwealth during her long reign. One of her earliest meetings with the Association was in 1953 when The Queen attended a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Coronation luncheon in Westminster Hall attended by representatives of many Commonwealth Parliaments. As CPA Patron, The Queen opened the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2000 in London, UK and she keeps in regular contact with Parliaments across the Commonwealth, especially in those jurisdictions where she is the head of state. The Queen recently congratulated the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on its 110th anniversary in 2021 and, as CPA Patron, her letter of congratulations was included in the newly published CPA book showcasing photographs of over 180 Parliament buildings around the Commonwealth and giving an insight into their varied histories. The following Motion in relation to the Platinum Jubilee of the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was agreed by the CPA Executive Committee at their Mid-Year meeting on 10 April 2022 on behalf of the Association: “The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association extends our sincere congratulations on behalf of our membership of 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures to the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee and this historic milestone of her 70 years of service to the Commonwealth.” The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg added: “On behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the entire CPA membership, we offer our congratulations to our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. As CPA Patron, Her Majesty is a tireless supporter of the work of Commonwealth Parliaments and Parliamentarians.”
Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean (BIM) Region attended the 51st CPA BIM Regional Conference, hosted by the Parliament of the Isle of Man (Tynwald), from 24 to 25 March 2022. The event focused on ‘Impactful Scrutiny’ and more than 40 Parliamentarians and officials from Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Cyprus and the United Kingdom participated in a series of workshops around the main theme. Sessions explored topics such as preparing new Members to scrutinise government decisions, delegated powers during COVID-19, the effective scrutiny of climate actions and diversity in Legislatures. Throughout, delegates acknowledged that scrutiny remained a core function in their role as a Parliamentarian and valued the ability to share experiences with one another from their respective jurisdictions. Delegates were welcomed by the Joint President of the CPA Isle of Man Branch and CPA Small Branches Vice-Chair, Hon. Juan Watterson SHK, the Speaker of the House of Keys who said: “It's been a pleasure for Tynwald to host the BIM Regional Conference on the sunny Isle of Man. The CPA is at its best when people are learning from each other, sharing ideas and solving mutual problems. Over an intensive two days, we have looked at scrutiny in
Image: copyright Tynwald.
FOCUS ON DELIVERING IMPACTFUL SCRUTINY IN PARLIAMENTS AT 51ST CPA BIM REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN THE ISLE OF MAN
our jurisdictions with a critical eye, and covered themes from public finance to climate change. In the margins, there were discussions on diversity, health provision, COVID handling and the complexity of virtual meetings. It has been an intensive two days, and I hope our delegates have had as much learning, sharing and fun as we have.” Delegates also elected Rt Hon. Maria Miller MP (UK), as the new Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) BIM Regional Representative and Chair of the CWP BIM Region Steering Committee.
For the latest CPA and Commonwealth news please visit www.cpahq.org or follow the CPA on social media Twitter @CPA_Secretariat | Facebook.com/CPAHQ | LinkedIn | Instagram @cpa_secretariat 106 | The Parliamentarian | 2022: Issue Two | 100 years of publishing