Maltese Parliamentarians Davina Sammut Hili and Charles Azzopardi have joined other parliamentarians, together with parliamentary clerks and officials from all over the Commonwealth in Westminster for a unique week-long event. More than 50 delegates from over 20 countries will be based at the Houses of Parliament for the 73rd Westminster Seminar organised by the UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
The week is a peer-to-peer learning opportunity focusing on parliamentary process and procedure. There will be sessions on a wide variety of parliamentary business including parliamentary culture, their role and responsibilities as parliamentarians, effective scrutiny, holding the executive to account, and the use of Artificial Intelligence.
The event started on Commonwealth Day, Monday, 10 March. Delegates were invited to attend the Commonwealth Flag Raising Ceremony led by Speaker of the House of Commons Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP at Portcullis House in the morning, followed by the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey in the afternoon which was attended by members of the Royal Family.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP gave an address to delegates on Tuesday morning about the role of the Speaker in Parliaments across the Commonwealth. On Tuesday afternoon, MP Davina Sammut Hili was invited to contribute to the session as a panellist, dealing with pressures on a parliamentarian, whereby parliamentarians explored how they balance their personal and professional commitments. They considered ways to prioritise their time and resources to work effectively with their political parties, caucuses or political alliances whilst ensuring the best interests of their constituents.
During the same session, MP Charles Azzopardi contributed to the discussion by referring to the ongoing debate on the possibility of Maltese parliament becoming full time MPs. He noted that having to manage a vast number of commitments, politicians who defend the right to free time and work-life balance, are constantly having to negotiate between fulfilling their duties as expected whilst having free personal time.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Members will have the opportunity to observe Prime Minister’s question time, whilst the parliamentary officials will be scrutinising the questions and the relative procedure.
The delegation is being accompanied by Research Analyst Ms Emma Terribile.
Photo: HOR
