It has been a learning experience for three National Members of Parliament from Solomon Islands who toured Westminster and Tynwald (Isle of Man) Parliament in the UK last month.
The MPs included Member of Parliament for Maringe Kokota Constituency Hon. Cathy Launa Nori; Member of Parliament for Ngella Constituency Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas and Member of Parliament for Central Kwara’ae Constituency Hon. Ricky Fuo’o.
The visit was part of Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s partnership with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands which began in 2022 with the aim to strengthening parliamentary profile, practices and procedures towards enhanced democratic capacity and resilience.
The Member of Parliament for Central Kwara’ae, Ricky Fuo’o shared his experience in London saying
Democracy is not just about elections but about a system of governance that respects human rights, allows for genuine political competition and holds leaders accountable. It is up to all of us leaders, institutions, and citizens to safeguard democracy and prevent it from sliding into authoritarian rule disguised as ‘democratic governance.
While I was there, I had to opportunity to be invited to the parliament to witness the questioning of the Prime Minister. What really surprised me is that it was not just the opposition doing the questioning, but the Ministers and Backbenchers of the ruling government were also questioning the prime minister.
The MPs also had meetings with Rt. Hon the Lord Bruce of Bennachie and Dr. Victoria Hasson, who work closely with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and have visited Solomon Islands for the programme on several occasions.
Clerk to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Jefferson Hallu, accompanied the MPs who also observed a Westminster Hall Debate. They had the opportunity to observe the Prime Minister’s Question Time at the House of Commons Chamber at the Palace of Westminster.
The MPs also met with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP; Liam Laurence Smyth, Clerk of Legislation, House of Commons, Bob Blackman MP, Backbench Business Committee Chair amongst others at Westminster and held a meeting with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world.
