The Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, Sir Lindsay Hoyle
made a brief visit to Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday.
Unfortunately, due to the late arrival of his flight, some of the courtesy calls
planned, had to be canceled, according to an official of the Resident UK High
Commission in St. John’s.
However, Sir Lindsay was able to meet the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Gerald Watt, KC, at the Parliament
Building. Both Speakers later engaged with members of the National Youth
Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda, also at the Parliament Building.
Sir Lindsay told the youth parliamentarians that the future of Antigua and Barbuda
looks bright, because of the involvement of young people in the political process.
“You have a great future here! I think you are going to be the future leaders of this
region and I say, please, to all the young people, get involved in politics. It’s not an
old people’s game, it’s a young people’s game, you’ve got to shape the future and
even at the Commonwealth, we will have a better Commonwealth because of
young people,” he remarked.
Speaking on the impact of small nations such as Antigua and Barbuda on the world
stage, Sir Lindsay said his advice is to ‘Stand up and be counted’. “You’ve got to
stand up!” he declared.
Sir Lindsay’s courtesy calls on Acting Governor General Sir Clare Roberts and
Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin were canceled, as
time did not allow them to take place.
