May 7-19, 2006, I represented the
Government of Canada at the CPA-UK Branch Seminar in the UK and Belgium. Due to voting necessities in the House of Commons, there was no MP at this seminar.
The only other Canadian was an MPP from Ontario, Mr. Bruce Crozier, Deputy
Speaker of the Government of Ontario.
23 countries were represented,
including: Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Canada, Guernsey, India, Jersey, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Pakistan, St.Helena, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania-Zanzibar, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and Zambia. The delegation consisted mainly of Members of
Parliament, either at the federal, state or provincial level. Several of the
delegates were Speakers or Deputy Speakers. I was the only representative of an
Upper House. Interestingly, there were only 2 women – myself and a Member of
Parliament of New Zealand.
This seminar was described as the most
ambitious CPA seminar ever held. The theme was “Governance and Culture of
the United Kingdom”.
The seminar was divided into four
locations: Westminster, London; Birmingham, England; Cardiff, Wales and Brussels, Belgium. This meant extensive travel by train and bus including a very special
trip on the Eurostar across the English Channel.
The aim of the seminar was to give
Commonwealth Parliamentarians an understanding of United Kingdom (UK)
governance & culture.
The objectives were:
§To learn about the parliamentary and political scene at Westminster
§To gain an insight into devolution and local government in the UK
§To visit parliamentary constituencies
§To learn about supranational governance and its implications for the
UK
§To discuss the contribution of the CPA within the Commonwealth
§To engage with colleagues in the CPA UK Branch
The delegates spent a considerable
amount of time in the Palace of Westminster learning its history, its tradition
and its roles. We were welcomed by the Right Honourable Michael Martin, MP,
Speaker of the House of Commons in the Speaker’s House. The Speaker is a
delightful Scottish gentleman with a vast knowledge of Parliament and an
abundance of wonderful stories.
Several sessions dealt with issues
surrounding UK Governance, especially Governance at a Supranational level
through the European Union. Specifically, we learned about:
-Development Policy,
-EU’s Trade Policy and Relations with the WTO
-External Relations Policy of the EU
-EU Foreign Affairs Committee
-EU Development Committee
-EU International Trade Committee.
During a working lunch in Brussels, we heard a presentation on the UK Presidency which had just ended and the
current Austrian Presidency.
A visit to the city of Birmingham was
chosen to familiarize the delegates with the recent development in the UK of the process know as “the Development of the City-Region Model”. Projects such
as the one in Birmingham are designed to give increased authority to core
cities through a process of devolution and localization. Fundamental to all of
this is the regeneration of old industrial cities in the UK to modern cities with emergent economies. Huge restoration projects are central to this
process, bringing together the business, cultural, tourism and housing
components.
In Birmingham, we met with elected
representatives as well as officials of the City, all of whom were immensely
hospitable and informative. A highlight was a reception at the Lord Mayor’s
Suite at the Council House.
Each delegate was assigned to a Member
of Parliament or a Member of the House of Lords from the Birmingham region for
a special visit to familiarize us with some of the creative ideas being
developed. In my case, I spent an afternoon with Lord Corbett of Castle Vale.
When I learned about my visit, I thought I would be going to the castle of a
Lord! Instead, Lord Corbett of Castle Vale took me to a community development
project serving approximately eight thousand citizens. This neighbourhood has
been totally revamped from one of decaying houses, social problems and
hopelessness to one of pride and a vision for the future. There is a remarkable
level of community participation in all decision making. The community includes
a school, a library, a community center, a recreation centre, day care and many
other services. Its name is “Castle Vale”.
A highlight of the visit to Birmingham was a concert by the Birmingham City Orchestra in the new Birmingham Symphony
Hall. We were invited to a reception in the presence of TRH The Earl and
Countess of Wessex, both of whom were delighted to meet members of a
Commonwealth Delegation.
In Cardiff, Wales, we visited the
beautiful National Assembly of Wales opened on March 1, 2006. This outstanding
new building features Canadian red wood in a magnificent architectural complex.
We were all impressed by how modern this Parliament is with every MP having a
desktop computer at his seat in Parliament. Wales has also made history with
more women than men in the Cabinet.
We attended a question period in the
National Assembly, followed by discussions on the devolution of power process resulting
from the “Government of Wales Bill”. Before leaving we had a most
interesting visit to the National Gallery and Museum of Wales.
The seminar concluded with two days
devoted to the role of the “House of Commons” and the role of the “House of
Lords” and the role of the “Judiciary”. We attended question period with Prime
Minister Blair. This was interesting since his leadership was being challenged
at the time. Many questions related to immigration, national security, health
care and the environment.
For myself, the most interesting and
the most surprising experience was the realization of the extent to which the
House of Lords has evolved and is evolving. Not only have most of the
hereditary Lords been removed, but a very modern and democratic selection
process is in place, headed by a non-partisan Commission. Each party in the
House of Commons submits nominations for vacancies in the House of Lords as
they arise. From these lists, the best candidates are interviewed and a final
nomination is forwarded to the Prime Minister who accepts the decision of the
Commission. As a result, the House of Lords is becoming ever more
representative of many segments of society in the UK, and the Lords are
undertaking a far greater number of national and local projects such as Castle
Vale which I have described. It was noted, however, that the wisdom of a truly
elected House of Lords is very much in the public thought. One member of the
House of Lords said “we must nurture democracy and engage youth”.
The final seminar was on “Civil
Society”. Delegates were continually impressed by the fact that Westminster is indeed “the Mother of Parliament”, and yet is ever changing
especially with respect to the European Union and the demands within the United Kingdom for greater powers in Scotland and Wales as well as at the municipal level. Of
course, the unresolved political situation in Northern Ireland remains a great
concern to Westminster.
Opinions vary greatly in the United Kingdom regarding the merits of the European Union. This was apparent in London and in Brussels. There seems to be a very genuine fear amongst many in the United Kingdom that power is gradually being lost to the EU. There is even a “European
Scrutiny Committee”. The best example of this is the determination of the
British to retain the “pound” rather than accepting the Euro. There are many
other issues at stake such as trade, agricultural policy, human rights,
immigration and multiculturalism. It should be remembered always that the EU
was created after WWII to ensure peace and stability, through sustainable
development and shared values.
It should be mentioned that throughout
this seminar, the future of the Commonwealth was discussed from a number of
perspectives. Amongst those attending, there seemed to be a consensus that the
Commonwealth is a valuable body and can continue to provide important links far
into the future.
Since this seminar was aboutGovernance
and Culture of the United Kingdom, it was interesting that the very first
lecture referred to UK Governance as “a quiet revolution”. Westminster is
central to all of this. A defining feature of the culture of the United Kingdom
is that the UK Constitution is unwritten, but consists of a consensus based on
statutes, the common law, commentaries, conventions and of course the role of
the Monarch. There are strengths and weaknesses in an unwritten Constitution.
It has nevertheless produced a durable democracy, dating to its beginnings in
1832, yet one in which government can suspend the rules without the weight of a
Constitution hanging over its head. Huge changes in the governance of the UK have occurred since 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community.
Parliamentarians in the UK seem to be
consumed with the devolution of powers, and those in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland are equally consumed with demands for there own identities and
decision making.
At Westminster, as elsewhere, the Iraq war and terrorism are consuming topics, producing a very important focus on
immigration, multiculturalism, national security and international military
commitments, all in an effort to manage globalization.
After a seminar such as this, one is
left with the impression that the great democratic institutions of the United Kingdom are very much intact despite the evolving processes that are underway, and that the
rich and long culture and tradition of Westminster and the Commonwealth are
enduring.
If the camaraderie and wonderful
discussion amongst the delegates to the CPA seminar are any indication, the
democracy that began in Britain still has deep meaning in this 21st
century. However, since so many delegates were from Africa and Asian countries,
one was acutely aware of the enormous social and economic gaps inside the
Commonwealth. Poverty, education, health and the challenges of emerging
democracies came to the fore frequently in our talks. The representatives of
some countries spoke proudly of “creating democracy”.
One delegates asked if the Commonwealth
itself could have a representative at the EU? It should be noted that this was
the first time a Commonwealth group had gone to Brussels to attend a session of
the EU, and meet directly with representatives of Member States as well as
officials of the EU.
All representatives at the CPA-UK
seminar left with the hope of keeping in contact with each other and of making
the program of the seminar enduring. There was general agreement that the CPA
can play a big role in urging the Commonwealth to take a stronger lead on
international issues and on the importance of good governance through the role
of parliamentary democracy. The Right Honourable Don McKinnon, Secretary
General of the Commonwealth, spoke about core values such as respect, equality,
tolerance and human rights. The Commonwealth is a guardian of quiet diplomacy,
serving as a link between development and democracy. Good governance is the
opposite of corruption, enlightening and empowering people in their own
situation.
The Right Honourable Don McKinnon said
in reference to democracy: “It is easier to slide down the pole than to get to
the top.”
For me, it was a great privilege to
represent the Canadian Parliament at this seminar. I hope to have opportunities
to share these experiences with my fellow Canadians. We all have much to learn
from each other.
Respectfully
submitted,
Hon.
Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, Senator Canadian (Federal) Branch
of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)