The Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom met with Speakers of the British Overseas Territories (OT) for formal introductions and to discuss an up-coming OT Conference and other future collaborative efforts. Photo: VINO/File

Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Hon Julian Willock, left, and Deputy Speaker and Territorial Member Honourable Neville A. Smith at the virtual meeting. Photo: GIS

Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, Honourable Willock (right) has expressed his agreement in supporting the collective effort to write to Foreign Secretary Dominic R. Raab to provide financial assistance to fix the Montserrat Legislative Assembly Building. Photo: GIS

Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Julian Willock, Deputy Speaker and Territorial Member Honourable Neville A. Smith and Acting Deputy Clerk Khauesten Industrious were virtually present for a meeting that was chaired by the Speaker of the UK House of Commons Sir Lindsay H. Hoyle and attended by Speakers from other Overseas Territories. Some of the Territories represented were Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the introduction period, Honourable Willock said, “We look forward to the Overseas Territories Conference, more so to ensure that it will be a process whereby all the OTs can frankly and honestly share views and complaints and that a mechanism between parliaments can be set up to foster solutions to many challenges faced within the OTs.”

Another topic on the meeting’s agenda was the Montserrat Legislative Assembly Building which is currently in disrepair. Honourable Willock expressed his agreement in supporting the collective effort to write to Foreign Secretary Dominic R. Raab regarding financial assistance and making it a priority.

In April of 2021, the Speaker of the UK House of Commons expressed his interest in fostering and developing relationships with all Overseas Territories and Representatives, and as a result, three OTs national holidays, including Virgin Islands Day were celebrated when the UK Parliament hoisted their individual flags.

According to a post on Speaker Hoyles’ Twitter account, “Today I met virtually with Speakers from British Overseas Territories around the world.

“It was interesting to hear about how their Parliaments work and discuss the challenges we have all faced during the pandemic,” he tweeted.

In keeping with his expressed interest, Speaker Hoyle remains steadfast in planning for the first ‘Speakers of the House of Commons and Overseas Territories Conference’ and Honourable Willock is in full support.