The morning of Day 3 of the Westminster Seminar 2018 was split into two programmes for parliamentarians and clerks focusing on how to communicate effectively. Kate Faragher, Director of Bespoke Skills, spoke to parliamentarians about being a commanding presence in a room, how to prepare for media interviews and how to communicate messages effectively. She later worked with clerks on developing assertiveness and confidence when engaging with parliamentarians.
 
A highlight of the parliamentary week in the UK Parliament is Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). Rt Hon Lord Boateng of Akyem and Wembley led a session on how PMQs gives MPs an opportunity to hold the Prime Minister to account and the way in which this is facilitated. The session included analysis of the day's PMQ session.

The joint sessions later in the day brought together both groups to look at how the Government is held to account via the legislative process, the Public Accounts Committee and Select Committee work. The final session of the day was a mock committee hearing with Kenneth Bryan, Member of Parliament for the Cayman Island Government Legislative Assembly, chairing the session and Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE giving evidence about the modern day slavery act in the UK. Huw Yardley, Clerk of the Health Committee in the UK Parliament, facilitated the session with observances and suggestions about the committee proceedings. Such suggestions included making questions to witnesses concise, drawing out points the witness says and ensuring witnesses are held to account.

Please click to read about Day 1, Day 2, Day 4 and Day 5 of the Westminster Seminar 2018.

Communications Session

Legislative Session

Lord Boateng

Mock Committee Hearing