St Helena : MPs St Helena Visit a Success
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 12.02.2009 (Article Archived on 26.02.2009)
The visit of three parliamentarians from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK Branch proved to be successful and useful for St Helena.
Press Release
Successful CPA Visit
The visit of three parliamentarians from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK Branch proved to be successful and useful for St Helena.
In particular, the event allowed members of the local CPA Branch and other officials to discuss issues of concern with Fraser Kemp, Labour MP, Brian Jenkins, Labour MP, and Lord Shutt of Greetland, Liberal Democrat.
After travelling on the RMS from Cape Town, the delegation arrived on the morning of Friday 6 February 2009 to start a full programme of meetings and other events.
On arrival, they were met by Cathy Hopkins MBE, the CPA President for St Helena, and Ethel Yon, OBE, the CPA Secretary.
The delegates were then transported to Farm Lodge for mid morning coffee with the Acting Governor, his wife, and the CPA President and Secretary.
At 10.30 on the same morning, the delegates returned to Jamestown to attend a meeting at the Council Chamber with the St Helena CPA Branch. The Branch is made up of the Elected Members of Legislative Council with the Speaker as President. This proved to be a useful meeting which allowed CPA Members to talk about a number of important issues. These included the air access project and the effects of the pause; the Island’s economy and infrastructure; constitutional reform; and preservation of the Island’s heritage. The Acting Governor attended and participated in this meeting along with the Government Economist.
Following this meeting, delegates posed for a group photo with the Elected Members, before moving to the Consulate Hotel for a lunch with them.
In the afternoon, the delegates enjoyed the countryside as they embarked on a tour with the CPA President. This tour included a visit to the wind turbines at Deadwood Plain, and a visit to Longwood House. They then moved to the Millennium Forest where they planted trees. The delegation also viewed the proposed airport site at Prosperous Bay Plain.
The Acting Governor hosted a reception at the Consulate Hotel on Friday evening and this was attended by CPA members, both current and past, various officials and other dignitaries.
The Acting Governor had three key messages for the delegation. In his address at the Consulate he said “One of the illusions that some may have about St Helena is the myth of a laid back island life. As you will already have gathered, this is far from the reality. We are actually replicating, or trying to replicate, the full panoply of first world public services in an isolated community of some 4,000 people. Health, education, legal services, communications, public orders, human rights and more. This puts a great burden of responsibility onto Saints, and Councillors in particular. And that is why the pause has hurt so much.
“Most Saints are justly proud of their historic connection with the UK. They are proud of their contributions to the mother country in the past, and grateful for the help they have more recently received in aid and expertise from DFID, FCO and others. They are also proud of being British citizens, and of the degree of protection of their human rights which their status confers. And they are alarmed by the threat to the promise of continued partnership, a promise that was enshrined not only in the 1999 White Paper, but also in the new draft constitution. They are becoming disillusioned with the perceived betrayal over air access, which is seen as just the latest episode in a history of unfulfilled promises. Expectations have been raised, and then dashed, following a major investment of both capital and human resources in the private sector that is now in danger of going into reverse.
“Most Saints have a good understanding, through personal contacts, of the seriousness of the economic situation now faced by the UK. They are not looking for charity under these circumstances: but they have been repeatedly told by HMG that the airport is a “win-win” for themselves and the UK taxpayer – which it of course is.
“We know that you are not HMG, but we do hope that you will be our joint advocates in the corridors of power, corridors which to the people of this Island can seem very remote.”
The Leader of the delegation, Mr Fraser Kemp responded and presented the Acting Governor with a gift. In his response, Mr Kemp said how much he was enjoying the Island and its people. The visit presented an opportunity for him to learn more about the problems the Island faced and that he would do all he can on his return to the UK to promote the Island. He thanked His Excellency for hosting the reception and all those for arranging an interesting and informative programme.
Thereafter, delegates were guests at the St Helena St Andrew’s Society Burns Night Supper which was held at Ann’s Place.
On Saturday, meetings continued in the Council Chamber with the Elected Members. Issues for discussion included education, the health service, policing and disaster management, and environmental challenges. At this meeting, presentations were given by the relevant persons. These included the Acting Governor and Chairmen of the Education and Public Health and Social Services Committees, the Chief Agricultural and Natural Resources Officer and the Environment Co-ordinator.
Meetings were then held with representatives from the Citizenship Commission and the Builders and Allied Industries.
Following this, lunch was held at the Consulate Hotel and this was also attended by the Head Boy and Head Girl from Prince Andrew School.
In the afternoon, delegates met with council members of the St Helena Chamber of Commerce and board members from the St Helena Development Agency to discuss various private sector issues.
Members of the public had the opportunity to speak with the delegates later that afternoon, and after this, the delegates attended a buffet dinner at the Sunflower Café with the Acting Governor and other invited guests.
Sunday morning allowed delegates to visit the Community Care Complex where they were met by the Public Health and Social Services Committee and the Chief Administrative Health and Social Services Officer. From here they visited the Museum of St Helena where they were met by the CPA President and Museum Curator. Delegates also enjoyed a Walkabout Jamestown tour before having lunch at Ann’s Place with elected members.
A final wrap up meeting took place in the Council Chamber on Sunday afternoon with all CPA members and the Acting Governor. The delegates also gave radio interviews.
The delegates were accompanied by Lady Margaret Shutt and Sophie Goodchild and a separate programme of activities had been drawn up for them. This included visits to the General Hospital with the Chief Administrative Health and Social Services Officer, the Senior Medical Officer and Phyllis Peters MBE. They also visited the Arts and Crafts Shop and the Tourist Office with the Acting Governor’s wife, Shanling Wells, Phyllis Peters, and Lorna Wastell. In addition, Mrs Wells hosted a Ladies Coffee Morning at Harris’ Guest House. Lady Margaret Shutt and Sophie Goodchild also visited Quincey Vale in Levelwood and they accompanied the delegates to a number of social functions.
The visit was most welcomed, this being the first since 2003.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
12 February 2009
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