POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE MALDIVES

Early day motion 291, tabled 9 June 2005 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 30 members.

That this House welcomes the unanimous approval of the multiparty system by the People's Majlis in the Maldives in the week beginning 30th May 2005; expresses the hope that this historic step paves the way for the introduction of party politics in the Maldives, as part of the major constitutional reform measures proposed by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2004; and considers that the government of the Maldives should now invite interested individuals and groups to register as political parties and emphasises that this development will be a crucial part of the efforts to build a fully democratic multiparty society in the Maldives.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 1.