The Isle of Man Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) hosted a dinner on March 8th for present and former CPA members at which Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP was guest speaker.
Mr Hoyle previously served on Chorley Borough Council before entering Parliament in 1997 when he became the first Labour MP to represent Chorley for 18 years.
In his address Mr Hoyle said: ‘I am delighted to have been invited, in my capacity of Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, to address the Commonwealth Day dinner held by the CPA Executive Committee of the Isle of Man. The event is an important opportunity to reaffirm the shared democratic values of the Commonwealth and to acknowledge the good work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, an organisation with which I am proud to have had a long involvement. As a Member of Parliament from the North West of England I have long acknowledged the importance of building links between the North West region and the Isle of Man, and it is therefore a particular pleasure to mark this occasion in Douglas.’
The dinner was held in the Barool Suite of Legislative Buildings, with entertainment provided by Otto, a male vocal ensemble from Ballakermeen High School and one of this year’s finalists in Junior Achievement Isle of Man’s Next Big Thing talent contest.
Isle of Man CPA branch chairman Hon Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The dinner to mark Commonwealth Day is an occasion to reflect on and celebrate the enduring relevance of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Isle of Man and the North West of England may be separated by an expanse of water but CPA events such as this serve to demonstrate and strengthen the close ties that exist between us and provide a valuable opportunity to deepen those bonds with our UK parliamentary colleagues. It was against this background and ahead of Commonwealth Observance Day in London on March 11th that we were pleased to welcome Mr Hoyle to Tynwald.’
Pictured: Isle of Man CPA branch chairman Hon Juan Watterson MHK welcomes Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP
