I recently attended the 57th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in London, under the theme, ‘Reinforcing Democracy.’
New Zealand is a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which provides opportunities to maintain awareness of emerging trends and issues among representative democracies.
This international community of Commonwealth parliaments and legislatures work to deepen Commonwealth’s commitment to democratic governance.
National MP Shane Ardern led our delegation, which also included Labour MPs Lynne Pillay and Moana Mackey.
Princess Anne opened the Conference on July 23 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall of the British Parliament.
More than 600 dignitaries from 170 countries watched as their national flags were placed near the Hall’s great stained-glass windows.
It was a historic and fitting setting for the official opening of the Conference as the CPA marks its centenary this year.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague gave an encouraging keynote address saying that the Commonwealth will be repositioned at the heart of British foreign policy.
We discussed a range of issues including migration, enhancing good governance, economic obstacles facing the Commonwealth and the role of Parliamentarians.
I was privileged to be a New Zealand’s representative at the Conference.
It was a great chance to examine the CPA’s role in reinforcing democracy, identifying new ways to strengthen parliamentary democracy, and strengthen relationships with other Commonwealth countries.
British Prime Minister David Cameron powerfully defended the role of the Commonwealth during his speech on the last day of the Conference.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with delegates from around the world including Africa, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
I met with Dolar Amarshi Popat, a life peer and the first Gujarati to represent the Conservative Party in the House of Lords. His interests include international development, small and medium-sized business, banking and finance.
Sir Alan Haselhurst, Member of British Parliament (representing Saffron Walden) was elected as the new Chair of the Association.
The Campaign for leadership included an excellent speech by Samoan delegate Fiame Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. She is a high chief, one of the longest serving MPs in Samoa and the first female member of Cabinet.
The campaign came at a critical time as the CPA works to re-fashion itself into a more modern, vibrant, and responsive organisation to play a significant role in an increasingly globalised world.
The Guru Nanak Foundation presented me with a Saropa, as the first India-born Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
Saropa (usually a cloth to tie as turban or worn to cover one’s shoulders) is a ‘Gift of Honour’ given by the Sikh community.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is Member of Parliament on National List. The above article is exclusive to Indian Newslink ©
Photo : Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi with (from left) Smriti Irani, Vasundra Raje Scindia (India), Sir Swaraj Paul (British Politician) and Virendra Sharma (British MP) in London
