Jamaican MPs focus on parliamentary procedure and budget management at CPA Post-Election Seminar
From 28 to 30 January 2026, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and ParlAmericas held a Post Election Seminar (PES) for the Parliament of Jamaica. The Seminar follows the Jamaican General Election, held on 3 September 2025, in which the incumbent Jamaican Labour Party won a third successive term in government.
The CPA Post Election Seminar was designed to provide new and returning elected Parliamentarians from the Parliament of Jamaica with improved knowledge and skills to undertake their parliamentary duties. The sessions covered topics such as the role of Presiding Officers in Parliaments and public financial management.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jamaica and Joint CPA Jamaica Branch President, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, MP, said at the opening of the seminar:
“I wish to emphasise that the strength of Parliament does not rest solely in the laws it passes, but in how it conducts its business. This week’s sessions will lay the foundation for parliamentary life, beginning with reflections on the opportunities and challenges facing both new and returning Members and progressing to the separation of powers and Parliament’s central role in governance. As Speaker, it was a privilege to help facilitate these exchanges and to see Jamaica serve as a setting for meaningful parliamentary engagement, democratic development and the warmth of our hospitality.”
The Clerk of the Parliament of Jamaica, Colleen Lowe, said:
“This CPA Seminar will deepen participants’ understanding of the procedural, legal and financial frameworks that govern the Parliament, while introducing best practices that support legislative scrutiny, constituency representation and institutional reform in line with international benchmarks.”
CPA Post-Election Seminar for Parliament of Jamaica
CPA Post-Election Seminar for Parliament of Jamaica
CPA Post-Election Seminar for Parliament of Jamaica
The President of the Senate of Jamaica, Senator Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson said:
I commend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and ParlAmericas for the comprehensive programme that they have planned for us and for assembling an impressive team of local and international experts for this seminar.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Andrew Holness, MP, also met with participants of the Seminar during a reception.
Resource persons from across the Commonwealth were able to provide guidance and expertise on a wide range of topics related to parliamentary procedure.
Experts and legislators supporting the event, included:
- The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia, Hon. Claudius Francis, MP;
- Former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George;
- Senator Hon. Bernadette Clement from the Senate of Canada;
- Senior Clerk of the UK House of Commons, Sean Kinsey;
- Founder of financial management company, Nexus PFM Consulting, Geoff Dubrow.
The CPA has an established programme of engagement with the Parliament of Jamaica in recent years. In January 2025, the CPA conducted a CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures self-assessment, providing an independent, structured review of parliamentary performance and identifying priority areas for reform and development.
This exercise was followed by a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the CPA and Parliament, setting out a framework for ongoing technical assistance and collaboration.
Most recently, the CPA supported a comprehensive review and modernisation of the Parliament's Standing Orders, aimed at improving the clarity and efficiency of parliamentary business.
The CPA Post-Election Seminar builds on this existing partnership, supporting newly elected and returning Members as they take up their parliamentary roles and responsibilities.
The Programme was facilitated by Lydia Buchanan, Deputy Head of Programmes and Jack Hardcastle, Good Governance Project Lead from CPA Headquarters and Eilish Elliott, Deputy Director at ParlAmericas.
The CPA has previously held Post-Election Seminars for more than 30 years with Legislatures across the Commonwealth including Anguilla, Kenya, The Cayman Islands and Bermuda.
-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. Visit www.cpahq.org for further information.
