Facilitated by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and its local branch, MLAs are in a two-day post-election seminar to better understand parliamentary procedure and rules at the Legislative Assembly that started today (Wednesday, 13 November 2013).

Besides Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP and attorney Mr. Steve McField, persons providing training from overseas are Speaker of the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives, Hon. Wade Mark, MP; Speaker of Bermuda’s House of Assembly, Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP; Speaker of Dominica’s House of Representatives, Hon. Alix Boyd-Knight, MHA and Clerk of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament, Mrs. Heather Cooke.

House Speaker Hon. Julianna O’Connor Connolly, JP, and Premier McLaughlin highlighted the value of post-election seminars, especially to first time MLAs.

Noting he had personally found the seminar an invaluable experience as a new legislator, the Premier advised MLAs to attend the various sessions to learn in depth about working in parliament, including why the rules, conventions and procedures are in place. Senior MLAs would be able to provide from their experience added value to the discussions and debates emanating from the proceedings, he added.

The seminar would also offer an opportunity to review why the Cayman Islands LA should be an autonomous body instead of being linked to the Executive under the Deputy Governor’s office, he commented. Another important topic was the prime need for modern Standing Orders, the rule book of the LA.

CPA Secretariat’s Assistant Director of Communications and Research, Ms Arlene Bussette explained that the seminar, a core CPA programme, aims to build capacity in newly elected MLAs to help their democratic duties effectively and efficiently while also serving as a refresher course for returning parliamentarians.

Photo captions: Photos by Bina Mani

Premier Speaks: Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP speaks.

Speaker Clerk: Speaker Hon. Julianna O’Connor Connolly, JP and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin

CPA Bussette speaks: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association representative Ms Arlene Bussette outlines the rationale behind the seminar.

Group: Seated l-r: Trinidad and Tobago Speaker, Hon. Mark Wade; Speaker Hon. Julianna O’Connor Connolly; Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin; Bermuda Speaker Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton; Attorney Mr. Steve McField; standing L-R: Opposition MLA Mr. Bernie Bush; Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden; Minister Hon. Marco Archer; Minister Hon. Kurt Tibbetts; Deputy Premier Hon. Moses Kirkconnell; Councillor Mr. Joey Hew; Councillor Mr. Roy McTaggart; Minister Hon. Tara Rivers; Councillor Mr. Alva Suckoo; Councillor Winston Connolly; Minister Hon. Wayne Panton; Clerk of Jamaica Houses of Parliament Mrs. Heather Cooke; Independent MLA Mr. Ezzard Miller; CPA Secretariat’s Ms Arlene Bussette and Clerk of the CI Legislative Assembly, Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin.

See also iNews Cayman story published November 13 2013 “Post Election Seminar for LA opened by CPA director” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/post-election-seminar-for-la-opened-by-cpa-director/