MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
New LegCo names ExCo; Clifton Speaker of the House
The first meeting of the newly elected Falkland Islands Legislative Council (LegCo) took place Tuesday in Stanley with new Speaker of the House, Lewis Clifton, chairing the meeting for the first time.
The meeting also saw three members of LegCo, elected to serve on Executive Council. Mike Summers was elected as the Stanley representative, Ian Hansen for the Camp, and new Councillor Dr Andrea Clausen took the third position on ExCo.
Councillors took the opportunity of the first session of LegCo to congratulate each other on election, and thank those who had voted for them.
Councillor Ian Hansen, part of the last council for two years, reassured the new councillors that, despite the large quantity of information they currently have to digest, they will learn to cope with it.
"Although the volume of the information doesn't get any less, it does become more acceptable," he said.
Dr Richard Davies, who led the voting in last Thursday's election, thanked those who had supported him, and praised the media's role in the election process. Dr Davies said the press, "plays a central role in democracy" and, he said, "I hope they will not hesitate to ask searching questions whenever necessary".
Richard Cockwell, with his third term in office, began by congratulating his colleagues on their election, saying, "I believe we have a group who can learn to work together."
First time Councillor Dr Andrea Clausen echoed Mr Cockwell's comments saying, "I very much look forward to working with all honourable members, and to meeting the challenges that are going to come our way over the next four years".
Dr Clausen said that although the challenges were "many", she believed the new council were, "strong enough to cope with them and deal with them in the best way we can."
Janet Robertson, another new councillor, said that although she was sure there will be times of "disagreement" over the life of the new council, she was confident the elected members would be able to, "make the best of it."
New Camp representative, Mike Rendell, pointed out he wanted to give "real recognition to all the people that stood for council this time round".
Mr Rendell emphasized it was a hard fought election, but wanted to thank all candidates that stood for "going through the process of democracy."
Fellow Camp Councillor Richard Stevens of Port Sussex Farm on East Falkland, said he principally wanted to thank those people, "who convinced me that my political time wasn't over".
Mr Stevens previously served on LegCo from 1993 to 1997, and said that he felt a "huge focus" should be brought to Camp matters. He felt there was a lot of support for Camp within the eight elected members and hoped that with that support, the new council would, "really be able to do something for the rural community".
Mike Summers used his opening LegCo speech to outline some of the issues he felt the electorate were concerned about. "I hope I can deliver your aspirations," he said, "which I suspect are for strong and honest government".
Mr Summers went on to discuss internal self government, a key issue in the run up to the election, saying the new council had to ensure that the Falklands has "an appropriate Constitution for our political development and our political aspirations."
Succeeding Tim Blake as the new Speaker of the House, Mr Lewis Clifton, a former councillor himself, said it was both, "an honour and a privilege to serve".
He went on to congratulate the newly elected members, and said, "I very much look forward to working with you, and serving this house over the next four years."
Rob Burnett - Stanley
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