From 24 to 26 March, a delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK held a Post Election Seminar (PES) in Anguilla. The Seminar follows elections to the Anguilla House of Assembly which took place in February 2025. 

The Seminar was designed to give new and returning elected Parliamentarians from the Anguilla House of Assembly improved knowledge and skills to undertake their parliamentary duties, legislate, scrutinise, provide oversight and represent their communities effectively. The sessions covered topics such as conduct and ethics, public speaking, the role of Parliaments in the 21st century and Ministerial governance. 

The Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, Hon. Tara Carter, said: 

"The CPA Post-Election Seminar provided an invaluable opportunity for our Parliamentarians to deepen their understanding of democratic governance and parliamentary procedure. The rich exchange of knowledge and experience from across the Commonwealth has equipped our Members with enhanced skills to better serve the people of Anguilla.” 

She also highlighted the Seminar’s programme and outcomes, stating that: 

“I was particularly impressed with the balanced focus on both institutional processes and personal development, addressing everything from legislative scrutiny to mental wellbeing. What made this CPA seminar truly exceptional was the authenticity and engaging approach of the facilitators, who created an environment conducive to open dialogue and meaningful learning. This holistic approach to parliamentary capacity building will undoubtedly strengthen our democracy and improve governance outcomes for Anguilla. We are very grateful to both CPA UK and the CPA Headquarters Secretariat for their exceptional collaboration in developing this comprehensive Post-Election Seminar 2025 for Anguilla, British West Indies."

The event was supported by speakers and facilitators from Anguilla and across the Commonwealth, including Her Excellency Julia Crouch OBE, Governor of Anguilla; Hon. Perin Bradley, Deputy Governor of Anguilla; Hon. Tara K. Carter, Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly; Deputy Inna Gardiner, Jersey; Hon. N.H. Cole Simons JP, Bermuda; Hon. Timothy Crookall MHK, Isle of Man; Senator hon. Sherene Golding Campbell, Jamaica and Victoria Bower, Head of International Partnerships for CPA UK.

The CPA Secretariat's resource team for the Seminar consisted of Matthew Salik, Head of Programmes and Marshall Tisdale, Programmes Officer.

The CPA has previously held Post-Election Seminars with Legislatures across the Commonwealth including Kenya, The Cayman Islands and Bermuda.

In July 2020, the CPA held its first ever virtual Post-Election Seminar with the Anguilla House of Assembly. You can read the Outcomes Report from that event here. 

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Visit www.cpahq.org for further information.