Two MLCs represent Tynwald at Commonwealth parliamentary conference in Cape Town

Diane Kelsey MLC and Gary Clueit MLC represented Tynwald at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, which ran from 13 to 19 September, according to the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald.

The two members of the Legislative Council, supported by Deputy Clerk of Tynwald Joann Corkish, were among more than 800 delegates at the event. It was hosted by the Parliament of South Africa and the South Africa branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

Topics on the agenda included inter-parliamentary dialogue to promote inclusive trade, climate adaptation, artificial intelligence in parliaments, disability inclusion, human rights and post-legislative scrutiny. The 42nd CPA Small Branches Conference was held alongside the main event.

Mr Clueit spoke in the CPA General Assembly debate on parliamentary action to strengthen democracy and international law. The assembly’s chair, CPA President Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, described his contribution as “thought-provoking”, Tynwald said.

Mr Clueit said small island nations faced many similar challenges, and that such meetings provided “a valuable forum for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and learning from the different approaches being taken to address them”.

Mrs Kelsey said representing the island’s parliament “was a privilege” and that she would bring what she had learned back to her duties.