A delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) visited one of the smallest Legislatures in the world on 23 September 2025.

The Chief Pleas of Sark is the Legislature and Executive for the small island of Sark in the English Channel, part of the archipelago of the Channel Islands. It is a self-governing jurisdiction, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and with a direct relationship with the Crown, with its own laws and has a population of about 600 people.

The CPA delegation included the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg; the Vice-Chair of the CPA Small Branches network, Deputy Adrian Gabriel (Guernsey); the Regional Secretary for the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIM), Sarah Dickson; and the Greffier of the States Assembly of Guernsey and CPA Guernsey Branch Secretary, Simon Ross.

The CPA delegation was welcomed by the Speaker of Chief Pleas of Sark, Hon. Paul Armorgie and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Jeremy La Trobe Bateman before the CPA delegation met with Members of the Legislature. The Chief Pleas of Sark comprises 18 Members (known as Conseillers) who are elected for a period of four years (with half facing elections every two years).

The CPA delegation had the opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges facing the island and the role that the Legislators play in the island’s life. The Members also received a briefing on the work of the CPA Small Branches network which represents the Parliaments in the smallest jurisdictions of the Commonwealth to identify their particular needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation. CPA Small Branches are classified as those jurisdictions (national and sub-national) with populations of up to 1 million inhabitants.

The Speaker of Chief Pleas of Sark, Hon. Paul Armorgie said:

''It was a pleasure to welcome the CPA delegation from the UK and Guernsey. Sark is proud to take up its place as a member of the CPA and to promote the values of the CPA, working in partnership with our Crown Dependency friends and neighbours.”

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:

“I was delighted to travel to the island of Sark with a CPA delegation to meet with Members of the Chief Pleas and to hear about their roles on the island as well as the challenges they face as a small jurisdiction. We look forward to a constructive and collegial relationship with the Legislature in the future.”

To find out more about the work of the CPA Small Branches network please click here. 

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.  

The CPA Small Branches network represents the Parliaments in the small jurisdictions of the Commonwealth to identify their particular needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation. CPA Small Branches are classified as those jurisdictions (national and sub-national) with populations of up to 1 million inhabitants.