Latest news with #CommonwealthParliamentaryAssociation
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey general election was remarkable, observers say
Guernsey's general election had "no major faults" which was impressive given recent changes to the way islanders vote, according to independent British Islands and Mediterranean Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association made the finding in its preliminary election observation Reynolds, President of the Senate of St Lucia, one of the observers, said: "While no election is perfect, this one had no major faults – remarkable for a state that has only recently undergone a major change in the way it votes."Voters backed the move to elect politicians from an entire island constituency, rather than the previous district system, at a referendum in 2018. The association, which also included parliamentarians from Montserrat and Scotland, visited each of the island's eight polling was the first in-person, island-wide election observation mission in Guernsey's said: "Coming from another island state, it has been fascinating to observe the democratic process in Guernsey. "I have been overwhelmed by the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers across the island. "They should take great pride in the work they did to ensure a smooth, efficient and calm process for voters across the island." Declining voter registration The preliminary report commended Guernsey on its "notable progress in fostering a more inclusive and representative political environment".It noted the number of women candidates hit a record high of 33% of total candidates this election and the observers praised the multiple opportunities voters were given a cast their advanced polling days were organised in addition to postal voting and polling the report drew attention to declining voter registration, with 52% of eligible voters registered before the election, the lowest since full report, which will delve further and make recommendations to strengthen Guernsey's democratic process, will be published in two months, said the association.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh Speaker invites CM to CPA India Region Zone-II annual conference in Dharamshala
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 20 (ANI): Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, has extended a formal invitation to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to grace the inaugural ceremony of the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region, Zone-II, being held from June 30 to 1 July at Tapovan, Dharamshala. Pathania informed that eminent delegates representing Zone-II, which includes Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, will participate in the conference. Among the attendees will be the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies, Leaders of the Opposition, Chief Whips, and MLAs from Member States. In addition, Speakers from the States of Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana have been invited as special guests. The Speaker said that the conference aims to promote meaningful dialogue on legislative procedures, democratic governance, and regional cooperation. He emphasized that the platform will facilitate the exchange of best practices and play a vital role in strengthening parliamentary institutions across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed to establish the dairy cooperative societies across the state adding that six new milk plants will be set up in the state. According to an official release, Chief Minister highlighted that currently 910 panchayats, dairy cooperative societies are functional and the department should work hard to increase the number of functional societies. To boost the dairy production these societies could play a crucial role in providing employment and self employment opportunities to the youth in the dairy sector, it added. Reviewing the work progress of Dagwar Milk processing plant in Kangra district, the CM directed to constitute a committee to monitor the same and get it expedited. The Chief Minister said 'this plant was expected to be completed by June, 2026 benefitting the farmers of Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Chamba districts.' 'The present State Government was making earnest efforts to strengthen the rural economy. We want to enhance the income of the farmers associated with the dairy sector, therefore, the State Government has raised the MSP to Rs 51 per litre for cow milk and Rs 61 per litre for buffalo milk', Sukhu added. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajasthan Assembly Speaker to visit France and Germany to observe parliamentary best practices
Jaipur, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani will embark on a seven-day visit to France and Germany to observe parliamentary systems and practices in both the countries. He is scheduled to depart from Jaipur on Tuesday morning for New Delhi and will fly to Paris later in the day. The visit is being organised under the aegis of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and will include interactions with lawmakers and officials from both France and Germany. During the visit, Devnani will observe the functioning of the French National Assembly , the Senate , the German Bundestag , and the Bundesrat . He will also share insights into legislative innovations introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly. Terming the tour significant in the context of parliamentary cooperation, Devnani said the visit aims to strengthen democratic engagement, encourage international collaboration, and provide a platform for sharing legislative best practices. The Speaker will also hold discussions on digital legislative processes and social inclusion with elected representatives and senior officials from the national parliaments, local legislative bodies, and cultural and academic institutions of both the countries. "This visit is a strong medium to present India's democratic traditions and the capabilities of state legislatures at a global level. It will certainly help enrich parliamentary functioning," Devnani stated. He is also scheduled to meet parliamentary leaders, senior lawmakers, Indian diaspora members and officials at Indian embassies in Paris and Berlin. The engagements also include interactions with officials from the Ramakrishna Vedantic Centre, science and technology experts and prominent members of the Indian community. Devnani will be accompanied by assembly principal secretary Bharat Bhushan Sharma on the tour. Apart from the official engagements, the Speaker will also visit historical, cultural and spiritual landmarks in both the countries to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions and heritage.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Douglas Ross sparks fury by chairing ‘farcical' Holyrood meeting 4000 miles away in Caribbean paradise
EX-TORY leader Douglas Ross was blasted for chairing a Holyrood committee all the way from the Caribbean. The education committee convenor dialled in virtually to this morning's evidence session from Turks and Caicos. 3 Douglas Ross chaired the Holyrood meeting all the way from the Caribbean 3 He is in the Turks and Caicos for his role in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Credit: Getty 3 Scots Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie asked Ross to hand over responsibilities to the vice convener But his decision was slammed by Scottish Lib Dem MSP and committee member Willie Rennie. He said: 'I do not think it is appropriate, convener, for you to be conducting this meeting from the Caribbean. 'I think it does not make you look good, and it does not make this committee look good. I would like you, once again, to reconsider whether this is appropriate, and I would ask you to hand over the responsibilities to the vice convener.' Mr Ross initially passed on convening responsibilities to Nats MSP and deputy convener Jackie Dunbar, before taking back control after advice from clerks. The former Tory chief then rejected a suggestion he should leave the meeting and be replaced by a substitute Tory MSP. Mr Ross is in the Turks and Caicos for his role in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and is set to return to Scotland tomorrow. SNP MSP George Adam told Mr Ross at the committee: "I am, for the record, not happy. I find this meeting farcical, the fact that you could even think you could do that online from the other side of the world. "To be fair, it's the best behaved you've been in the past couple of weeks so perhaps being online suits you and not actually meeting people in person is maybe not your best way forward. "The aggressive manner and the lack of respect you've shown to people who have come to the committee in the past have actually made this Parliament look bad. "I want to put that on the record because we have tried on numerous occasions to talk to you, take you aside and ask you to do the right thing, but you continue with your continued behaviour and quite frankly I think it makes you look small and pathetic." Edinburgh Uni boss squirms as refuses to give up his free £140m house to help funding gap Douglas Ross said: "While I was away from Holyrood on parliamentary business, leading sessions for new and existing MPs on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I was still keen to take a full part in the committee session. 'The time difference allowed me to convene this Committee session and then fully participate in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association programme. 'Often MSPs are criticised for being work shy but I don't think that accusation can be levelled at me given my determination to fully take part in this meeting. 'I also note, despite members being informed of my intention to convene the meeting remotely last Friday, no member raised any concerns with me until the meeting began on Wednesday morning. 'I'm very pleased that the session ran so smoothly and all members were able to question the Education Ministers on a number of crucial topics.' The row comes after the Tories blasted SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed for voting from the Cayman Islands last month. Ms Tweed voted to keep Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman on the equalities committee after a row over her comments about Supreme Court judges. At the time, Tory MSP Tess White said the decision to vote from abroad showed how 'disconnected' Nats MSPs were with voters, and that 'disillusioned voters will find it appalling'.
The National
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Douglas Ross panned for chairing Holyrood meeting from Caribbean
On Wednesday morning, Ross plugged in to the Education, Children and Young People Committee from the Turks and Caicos islands, a British overseas territory where he is reported to be on Commonwealth Parliamentary Association business. However, LibDem MSP Willie Rennie raised a point of order about Ross's involvement as convener from abroad. READ MORE: These key economic truths show how independent Scotland and Wales can succeed Rennie said: 'I'd like to raise a point of order. I raised this with the convener in the private pre-briefing. 'I don't think it's appropriate, convener, for you to be conducting this meeting from the Caribbean. 'I think it doesn't make you look good and it doesn't make this committee look good, and I would like you once again to reconsider whether this is appropriate. 'I would ask you to hand over the responsibilities to the vice-convener.' The SNP's Karen Dunbar is vice-convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. In response to Rennie's request, Ross said he would be happy to take part as a lay-member and allow Dunbar to chair the meeting, at which Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey, and Minister for Children Natalie Don-Innes were due to give evidence. READ MORE: Seamus Logan: Anas Sarwar's joy quickly sours as reality of UK Labour's record bites Dunbar took advice from parliamentary clerks and said that there was nothing in the rules to prevent a meeting being chaired remotely. 'The rule makes no distinction between virtual or in-person attendance during committee meetings,' she said. 'It is the role of the convenor to chair the committee if they are present, whether in person or virtually.' Dunbar therefore declined to convene the meeting and passed the responsibility back to Ross. Previously, an SNP source briefed the Daily Record about the fact that the former Scottish Tory leader would attend the meeting from the Caribbean. They said: "Throughout his time at Holyrood, Douglas Ross has treated his role as an MSP as a part-time gig to fit around his other jobs – including his various jaunts across Europe as an assistant referee. "This has been a bit of an embarrassing week for Ross after he was removed from the Chamber for his poor behaviour on Thursday. 'After his tirade of unjustified claims about other members' parliamentary attendance it is now somewhat ironic that Mr Ross will be logging in from near the Caribbean."
