Patricia Scotland to become the Commonwealth’s first woman Secretary General

Baroness Patricia Scotland was today named as the new Commonwealth Secretary General (SG) replacing Kamalesh Sharma.

“I’m a hard act to follow but I’m sure she can do it”, the career diplomat said of his replacement.

While Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Commonwealth, the secretary-general’s duties involve representing the organisation globally and promoting its values and principles, chiefly democratic standards and development.

“Congrats to Baroness Patricia Scotland, first lady to become SG of Commonwealth!”, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

“I was incredibly proud to be one of the candidates but the two other candidates, Antigua and Botswana, have much to offer and I am humbled that I was chosen in their stead”.

Scotland has served in many positions within the United Kingdom government, most notably as the Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

When asked what she felt about whether the next head of the Commonwealth should be Prince Charles or someone elected, Scotland said that was a decision for the 53 members of the Commonwealth, not her.

While Scotland’s election is a step forward for women and the Caribbean, many view the Commonwealth as an outdated link to the colonial era.

“That’s an aspiration I want for every single country in the Commonwealth”.

She will officially take office in April next year. One of the biggest issues was rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Commonwealth countries, which campaigners say the leaders continuously shirk addressing.

The Commonwealth is made up of 53 independent countries with a combined population of 2.2 billion.