LONDON – Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Marco Archer is attending the 64th Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure.
The programme began with an introduction to the Westminster System of parliamentary democracy, exploring its development and identifying what are now the key challenges.
At the opening event Monday evening, Rt. Hon. David Hanson, Shadow Minister for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, highlighted reforms of parliamentary expenses and dealing with the sheer volume of communications enabled by modern technologies as some of the key issues facing Westminster. He was one of several speakers who discussed parliamentary procedures and challenges throughout the night.
“This seminar is very timely in relation to events in our own Legislative Assembly in the Cayman Islands,” said Min. Archer. “While in the LA this year we have agreed on several measures to move the Cayman Islands into the modern era of democracy with an advanced constitution, a modern parliament and an equitable electoral system.”
The seminar is aimed at newly elected Members of Parliament and Clerks. The ever-evolving programme highlights current best practice and how Parliaments adapt to changing domestic and global political environments.
While in London Minister Archer will attend an interesting programme of sessions and events where he will receive briefings from the Speaker of the House of Commons, The House of Lords Speaker, the Leader of the House of Commons and the Clerk of the House of Commons. Minister Archer will also have an opportunity to see Parliament in action.
The seminar comes to a close on Friday, 4 December, 2015.