HoA Delegation Attends Speakers' Conference
Speaker George-Massicote and Clerk Mrs Smith-Hanley represented the Virgin Islands at the 5th Commons & OTs Speakers’ Conference, which gathered parliamentary leaders from the UK and Overseas Territories to discuss digital governance, transparency and resilience. The delegation says lessons learned will inform how the House of Assembly manages sittings, communicates with the public and strengthens parliamentary procedures.
Speaker George-Massicote and Clerk Mrs Smith-Hanley attended the 5th Commons & OTs Speakers’ Conference, joining speakers, clerks and parliamentary representatives from the United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories to explore the future of legislative democracy in a time of rapid technological and social change.
According to Virgin Islands News Online, the conference brought delegates together to share best practices relevant to the unique constitutional arrangements across the Overseas Territories and the wider Commonwealth, with a focus on keeping legislatures transparent, resilient and citizen-focused.
Mrs Smith-Hanley, who oversees daily operations of the Virgin Islands legislature and coordinates official functions and sittings, said the conference offered valuable insights for strengthening parliamentary procedures. "The discussions on digital governance, transparency and citizen engagement will directly inform how we structure procedures, manage our sittings and communicate with the public," she said. "By sharing our experiences and listening to others, we are better equipped to strengthen the institution of parliament, ensuring that it has the capacity, resources and systems in support of legislative work." The Virgin Islands delegation acknowledged logistical and diplomatic support from the BVI London Office, led by its Director and U.K.
Representative, which accompanied Speaker George-Massicote’s participation and facilitated engagement with international peers on governance issues. For BVI residents, the themes discussed have practical implications: improved digital governance could mean clearer online access to parliamentary records, expanded livestreaming of sittings, and more interactive channels for public consultation.
Resilience conversations are also relevant to the Territory’s disaster preparedness — ensuring that legislative business can continue during storms or other disruptions through remote sittings or emergency protocols. Delegates praised the Parliament of the Cayman Islands and the conference organisers for hosting what the Virgin Islands group described as a thoughtful and visionary gathering of parliamentary leaders.
The HoA delegation said the engagement reinforces the Virgin Islands’ commitment to active diplomatic participation and continuous improvement of parliamentary processes in line with international standards. The conference represents a continued effort among Overseas Territories to adapt parliamentary practice to modern expectations for transparency and citizen engagement while respecting each territory’s constitutional context.
The House of Assembly will consider the conference outcomes as it seeks to update procedures and communication strategies for the benefit of BVI residents.
Primary source: VINO