Baroness Scotland is elected the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth

London, November 2015. Alderman The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland of Ashtal, QC, has been elected as the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

Delegate Anthony Bailey, on congratulating Baroness Scotland said: “On behalf of the Delegations in Britain, Ireland and the Caribbean, I wish to extend my warmest and heartfelt congratulations to Delegation dame, Alderman The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland of Ashtal, QC, on her election earlier today as the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

Patricia Scotland is a truly remarkable lady and known to many of us. She will serve this great institution of 53 member states representing 2.3 billion people with dignity, drive, conviction and for all. As the candidate of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the country of her birth, and conscious too of neighbouring Antigua & Barbuda, the birthplace of her father, Baroness Scotland has set as her mission the reconstruction of a vibrant and dynamic Commonwealth of Nations full of energy, commitment and direction.

Patricia Scotland was first invested into the Order in 2002 as a Dame of Merit with Star of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. In 2014 she was promoted to the rank of Dame Grand Cross of Merit and appointed Vice-Delegate for England. She has been an active member of the Delegation for the Caribbean and the British and Irish Delegation. Baroness Scotland has been a strong advocate of the significant charitable, social and educational programmes currently being undertaken by the Delegation in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and St Lucia. She is a strong advocate too of the Order’s longstanding activities in furthering greater understanding between the followers of all faiths and those of none.

Within the UK, Baroness Scotland has served in many ministerial positions most notably as the Attorney General for England and Wales and the Advocate General for Northern Ireland. I hope an opportunity will be found soon where as many of you as possible can congratulate the Secretary General elect in person.”