Shortly after Christmas, I was honoured to represent Mr Speaker in my role as Deputy Speaker at the annual Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers which this year was held in New Delhi.

The Conference provides an opportunity for Speakers from across the Commonwealth to come together and discuss important issues and share ideas and practices related to the functioning of Commonwealth Parliaments.

I addressed the Conference at the opening and attended many workshops on various topics such as ‘The Speakers Role as Mediator’. I chaired a session on ‘The Use of Technology in the Parliamentary Context’ which among other things, considered how technology can be used to connect with constituents.

Through the Commonwealth mechanism, the ideals of parliamentary democracy are strengthened throughout the world. During the visit I had the opportunity to meet with many of my colleagues from the Commonwealth including the Indian Speaker – Meira Kumar and improve relations between our Parliaments.

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Sylvia is sitting

in the bottom row

2 seats to the right of the

Indian Speaker (wearing pink)