'Young National Assembly deputies need to practice asking questions'

Deputy Speaker of the British House of Commons Eleanor Laing said it would be more convenient and better if young MPs were shown how to ask questions effectively.

The capacity of National Assembly deputies is assessed on their ability to question and represent voters. This is a content that the British House of Commons will support the Vietnamese National Assembly in the coming time. Deputy Speaker of the British House of Commons Eleanor Laing emphasized in an interview with a reporter from the Voice of Vietnam.

PV:Hello Ms. Eleanor Laing, the Vietnam-UK relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2010. Could you tell us about the contribution of the British Parliament in this process?

Mrs. Eleanor Laing:First of all, we very much welcome the establishment of a strategic partnership with Vietnam. It shows that Vietnam and the UK are truly friends. There are many achievements waiting for us ahead, when the two countries cooperate together.

I am very honoured to be here in Vietnam on behalf of the British Parliament to visit and discuss with the Vietnamese National Assembly. I am delighted to see the many ways in which we can work together effectively.

Deputy Speaker of the British House of Commons.

One of the areas I have high hopes for is education. That is, we are inviting Vietnamese students to study postgraduate courses under the Chevening scholarship program, promoting cooperation between Vietnamese and British universities. In addition, I hope that we can help train young Vietnamese National Assembly members. This education can help them take on their roles in the future.

Young delegates need to practice asking questions.

PV:So what training will young Vietnamese National Assembly deputies need to prepare for their work, Madam?

Mrs. Eleanor Laing:I don't really think they need any training. They've been elected to the legislature. That doesn't mean they lack anything. But it would be helpful and good for them to be shown how to ask questions effectively, how to research topics. How to communicate most effectively with the people they represent. And also how to express their views in Congress. I think that's what helps them do their job best.

PV:Based on your experience, what are the necessary qualifications of an elected representative?

Mrs. Eleanor Laing:I think the most important quality they need is the ability to communicate and convey messages, or communication skills. Communication skills are assessed on two aspects. That is, listening to the people they represent. Next, they must be able to summarize and present their views through documents and messages in a concise and concise manner. Next, National Assembly members must demonstrate the ability to communicate and speak directly in the parliament. I think communication skills are the key to the problem.

I also find analytical skills are essential. They need to be able to gather information about what the Government is doing and understand why. This helps them contribute to the legislative process. We do this quite well in the UK, and these skills contribute directly to the making of laws.

Here, it must be seen that in the process of construction, each law has a similar form at first. But as they develop, they have specific forms. I do not want to say that they are different. Therefore, National Assembly deputies must grasp this distinction in order to perfect the best laws.

According to Ms. Eleanor Laing, the most important quality that elected representatives need is the ability to communicate and convey messages, or communication skills.

PV:Performing the supervisory function is something that the Vietnamese National Assembly is trying to focus on improving. What would you like to share to help Vietnamese National Assembly deputies perform their duties better?

Mrs. Eleanor Laing:This is really important. Because it is one of the tasks of elected members of Parliament. Our experience here is to determine what the committees of Parliament will do and how we will question members of the Government.

In other words, elected representatives need to know how to hold ministers to account. Accountability is a key part of good government. In any country, when governments are accountable to the people, law enforcement becomes fairer and more open. Allowing representatives and citizens to question ministers and demand full answers is essential to accountability.

Gender equality must come from parliament

PV:One of the topics of discussion between you and the leaders of the Vietnamese National Assembly was women’s empowerment and the role of women in Parliament. What is the UK doing to promote women’s participation in Parliament?

Mrs. Eleanor Laing:In fact, Vietnam is a country with a fairly high proportion of female representatives in the National Assembly. It is similar to the proportion of women in the British Parliament. I think the most important thing is to encourage women to participate more in political work.

In any job, in any career, not only in Vietnam but also in the UK, society always requires women to take on two important responsibilities. That is being a mother, and giving birth. While they still have to be active in social work and earn money. There is a conflict between women's obligations to the family and their social and political roles. It makes women's advancement in the workplace more difficult.

In the UK, we have the Equality Act, which has five areas where equality is guaranteed. It’s not just about gender equality, it’s about equality for people with disabilities, equality for people with different religions… We are very serious about legislation in this area. That’s what makes the difference. For example, maternity leave for women.

If we make it easier for women to give birth and return to work, they seem to feel more secure in their work, work more effectively and, as a result, advance faster. Gender equality laws regarding maternity leave are the most important thing.

PV:Thank you, ma'am./.

According to VOV