UK Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle will make his first official visit to the Cayman Islands next week which will include a special meeting of Parliament convened to mark the occasion.
House Speaker Sir Alden McLaughlin made the announcement as he addressed legislators in Parliament on Thursday.
He said Hoyle’s visit will be the first time a Speaker of the UK Parliament makes an official visit to the Cayman Islands.
“This is testament to the importance that Sir Lindsay places on overseas territories, 16 jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands, Monserrat said Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and others,” he said.
McLaughlin said in honour of the “special occasion in Cayman’s parliamentary history” he will be convening a special meeting of the House on Thursday, 1 Aug. at 10:30am.
Hoyle, the MP for Chorley, is a seasoned MP in the UK and was re-elected as Speaker for a second term earlier this month.
McLaughlin said Hoyle “has been a fierce and loyal advocate for the overseas territories, elevating our voice in Westminster”.
He said he has known Hoyle for many years and their friendship is built on a shared commitment to fostering strong diplomatic ties between the UK and Cayman Parliaments.
McLaughlin said in March during the 75th Commonwealth celebrations in London, Hoyle hosted an official dinner at his residence for Speakers of the overseas territories where the challenges they face were discussed.
Some of the challenges were shared, while some are “unique to us, notable our disaster risk management, security and our environmental sustainability”, he said.
McLaughlin said he was struck by the true dedication Hoyle has displayed and his honouring the overseas territories on 9 May 2023 when he unveiled a new stained glass window in the Speaker’s House at Westminster with coats of arms from all the overseas territories including Cayman.
McLaughlin urged MPs to attend the sitting and extend a warm welcome to Hoyle.
“His visit highlights you and your work. It highlights our Parliament, our government and our country. It is a unique opportunity to participate in this great relationship that we are honoured to share with the United Kingdom Parliament,” McLaughlin said.
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While he’s here ask him to pop into a bank and try to open an account. Or try to deposit some cash into an existing account.
Perhaps his experience will help counter some of the “money laundering” center image we have.