FOCUS ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AT CPA PARLIAMENTARY ACADEMY RESIDENCY COURSE IN SCOTLAND
CPA CHAIRPERSON VISITS CPA SCOTLAND BRANCH
The Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP visited The Scottish Parliament to meet with the Presiding Officer and CPA Scotland Branch President, Rt Hon. Alison Johnstone, MSP, Members of the CPA Scotland Branch Executive Committee, Sarah Boyack, MSP, Jeremy Balfour, MSP and Stuart McMillan, MSP, and a group of MSPs for their AGM.
CPA MAHARASHTRA BRANCH VISIT UK PARLIAMENT
Image credit: CPA Secretariat.
Image credit: The Scottish Parliament.
Twenty-six Commonwealth Parliamentarians from across the CPA’s membership attended the Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Course in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom from 17 to 20 October 2023. The course provided attendees with an opportunity to gain an in-depth analysis and understanding of the legislative process, improve their communication, presentation and influencing skills and learn from their colleagues in other Parliaments across the Commonwealth. The core programme revolved around a single, central issue, with each day dedicated to a particular parliamentary function such as the legislative and Committee process. A Bill on alcohol pricing, passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2012, was used as sample legislation to provide a thematic focus for the sessions. Across the four days, the Bill moved through the legislative process, giving participants the opportunity to test their skills in key parliamentary areas. Sessions included a debate in the parliamentary chamber, a Committee hearing, and a community outreach visit to The Sorted Project, an Edinburgh-based rehabilitation centre that provides a safe and peaceful space for people managing recovery from substance use and mental health. The programme was co-hosted by the CPA Secretariat and The Scottish Parliament with delegates attending from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australian Capital Territory, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Nova Scotia, India, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Tasmania and Western Australia. The Chamber debate was presided over by the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Hon. Liam McArthur, MSP who said: “It was a pleasure to welcome so many Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth to the Scottish Parliament this week. The CPA Parliamentary Academy residency programme is a fantastic opportunity for Parliamentarians to network, learn and develop as Members of Parliament. It was my privilege to preside over the debate and to meet Members from a range of different Legislatures.” The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, also attended the programme and said: “I am immensely grateful to the Scottish Parliament for hosting this Residency. I was impressed by the dedication and commitment of the participants attending from a wide range of CPA jurisdictions. The CPA Parliamentary Academy continues to go from strength to strength in promoting mutual learning and best practice”. The programme was the CPA’s fourth residency course since the launch of the CPA Parliamentary Academy in 2021. Previous residency courses have been hosted by New South Wales (Australia), Western Cape (South Africa) and Alberta (Canada). The CPA Parliamentary Academy residency courses complement the CPA’s online courses, providing face-to-face interactive learning and knowledge-sharing at a more advanced level.
Image credits: The Scottish Parliament.
CPA NEWS
The CPA SecretaryGeneral, Stephen Twigg met with Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and the Maharashtra Legislative Council during their study visit to the UK Parliament in September 2023. The delegation was led by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Rahul Narwekar, MLA and the Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council, Hon. Dr Neelam Gorhe, MLC. Members were given a briefing on the work of the CPA and an update on its latest activities.
The Parliamentarian | 2023: Issue Four | 100 years of publishing | 281
