Parliamentary Strengthening
CPA UK’s core work is to build relationships with parliaments across the Commonwealth and thus strengthen parliamentary democracy. This is achieved through a programme of parliamentary strengthening and other bilateral and thematic activities. CPA UK undertakes work at the request of other parliaments around the Commonwealth, and our tailored programmes include individual country programmes, and large-scale projects and activities which bring together Commonwealth parliamentarians and clerks.
WESTMINSTER SEMINAR
For almost 70 years, CPA UK has been running a Seminar on Effective Parliaments. Past participants have gone on to become Premiers, Presidents, Vice Presidents and Deputy Prime Ministers, and today more than 20 current Speakers of Parliaments have attended one of the Seminars. CPA UK’s Westminster Seminar Series provides an opportunity for Parliamentarians and clerks from across the Commonwealth to explore parliamentary democracy, practice and procedure and to share experiences and challenges faced in their parliamentary work.
The 68th seminar took place from Monday 25 November – Friday 29 November 2019, shortly after an election was called in the UK. The content and structure adopted an experience-based approach, drawing on the perspectives of contributors and participants to stimulate discussion and learning on parliamentary best practice.
Tony Grew (creator of Parlyapp) and Lord Boateng started the week off with a vigorous debate on the events that had taken place within Westminster over the preceding months. The discussion addressed the overarching theme of Brexit which led to the change of Prime Minister and the 2019 election. This opened up the question of populism and its influence on democracy. Topics explored also included the rise of identity politics and the influence it has on dividing not only parliament but the country.
Another highlight for our delegates was Dame Margaret Hodge who discussed her previous role as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, her work against international tax avoidance, and the many ways that a parliamentarian can have an impact.