Valerie meets with delegation from Trinidad and Tobago

As a member of the Commonwealth and Parliamentary Association, I met with a delegation of students and teachers from Tobago in Parliament on Wednesday 12 September 2018. The delegation were led by Dr. Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus, Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of Assembly Legislature.

The study tour is based on the fact that the Westminster model of government is the system used by the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament and the Tobago House of Assembly Legislature. The study tour allowed students to experience how the parliamentary system works, explore the origins of the Westminster model, and compare it with its current iteration in Trinidad and Tobago.

I spoke about the current political makeup of the House of Commons in which there is a Minority Government. There are currently 209 women MPs and 441 men. A record number of women  were elected at the General Election 2017 – 32% of the House of Commons.

I also spoke about the Party selection process for becoming an MP, and the role of an MP, including how Members represent their constituents and balance their time within the constituency and Parliament.

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