Valerie celebrates the Commonwealth on Commonwealth Day

On Monday 14 March 2016,  I intervened in an adjournment debate secured by Iani Liddell Grainger MP the Chair of CPA_UK  on Commonwealth Day.

The Commonwealth unites over 2 billion people in 53 nations around the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya and Jamaica. All 53 countries came together to celebrate Commonwealth Day, this year under the theme of “An Inclusive Commonwealth”.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is the voice of parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth, ensuring the continued relevance of Parliament by offering a forum which enables Commonwealth Parliamentarians to share best practices, exchange information and debate policies.

I said:

Valerie Vaz: The hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech. As someone who originates from Goa in India and was born in the British Protectorate of Aden, I am well aware of the importance of a club. Groucho Marx said that he would not want to belong to a club that would have him as a member, but we are part of a very important club. Does he not agree that we are the interface with the European Union, which places us in a very great position? And will he join me in thanking the staff of the CPA, who organise all these visits and help the rest of the world come to see what it is like to live under a rule of law in this country?

For more information, you can visit the CPA website at http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/ or the Commonwealth website at http://thecommonwealth.org/.