Delegation of the House of Representatives Explores Experience of UK Parliament in Participatory Democracy

12/12/2023

A delegation of the House of Representatives performed on December 11-12, 2023, a study visit to the UK House of Commons in order to explore the experience of the United Kingdom in participatory democracy and learn about the best parliamentary practices in terms of presenting petitions and motions. The House's delegation comprised representatives of all the House's political components, thus enriching the discussion and the themes debated during the visit. The delegation included:
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<li>Rep. Khadija Ezzoumi, the Second Deputy Speaker of the House and the Chairperson of the Petitions Committee;</li>
<li>Rep. Mohammed Ouzzine, the Fourth Deputy Speaker of the House;</li>
<li>Rep. Nadia Touhami, the Sixth Deputy Speaker of the House and a member of the Petitions Committee;</li>
<li>Rep. Malika Zekhnini, a member of the Petitions Committee;</li>
<li>Rep. Younes Bensliman, a member of the Petitions Committee;</li>
<li>Rep. Mohammed Hammani, from the Group of Authenticity and Modernity;</li>
<li>Rep. Abdessamad Archane, from the Constitutional, Democratic, and Social Group;</li>
<li>Rep. Saloua Berdhi, from the Parliamentary Caucus of Justice and Development.</li>
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The visit falls under the Project of Support and Development of the Role of the Parliament in Consolidating Democracy in Morocco (2020-2024), financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe in partnership with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The visit aimed to enable the participants to explore the experience of the United Kingdom in participatory democracy and identify the best practices they can bring to the Moroccan experience in the area. The visit also allowed the Representatives to discuss and understand the processes linked to implementing an efficient system for processing petitions and motions with their British counterparts. It also enabled the Representatives to explore new concepts to advance the utilization of the two organic laws on petitions and legislative motions.
During the same visit, the Representatives explored the nature of the British model of participatory democracy and shed light on the procedures and outcomes of petitions in the UK Parliament. They also discussed the strengths of the British parliamentary system regarding petitions and the challenges it faces, in addition to the manner by which the UK Parliament interacts with citizens. The visit featured rich discussions during which the two parties exchanged experiences and views regarding participatory democracy.
In the same respect, the delegation attended the general debate of a petition submitted following 100,000 endorsing signatures within the UK Petitions Committee. The discussion allowed the delegation to witness a live exercise of the practice.
It should be noted that the Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives were received by MP. Nigel Evans, the Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons. The delegation was also received by MP Catherine Jane Smith, the Chairperson of the Petitions Committee, and MP Heather Wheeler, the Chairperson of the Morocco APPG.

Petitions Committee:2021-2026

Delegation of the House of Representatives Explores Experience of UK Parliament in Participatory Democracy