Opposition response to the holding of a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly

03 March 2020, 05:09 AM

Politics & Government

The members of the Official Opposition met over the weekend to consider North Side MLA; Mr. Ezzard Miller’s call for a meeting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a ‘No Confidence’ vote in the Speaker as well as the election of a new Deputy Speaker.

Unfortunately, the Official Opposition could not get unanimous support as one member of the Group, MLA Kenneth Bryan, was not in support. Without his support, the Opposition cannot get the signatures of seven members, as required by Standing Orders, to request the meeting of the Legislative Assembly.

The remaining members of the Opposition believe that the public should expect, and rightfully so, that those who seek, and are privileged to hold public office, should be held to a higher standard of conduct and that they are duty bound to protect the integrity of the peoples House.

Throughout our recorded history, there are many examples of people taking responsibility for their actions or inactions. It is imperative that all of us, as elected representatives of the people, demonstrate our mettle and let the public know where we stand on this very serious issue.

While we are also aware that there is also an ongoing criminal investigation, we think it would be rather hypocritical of us, as political leaders, to require members of the Public Service to..."not, at any time, engage in any activity that brings his ministry, portfolio, statutory authority, government company, the public service or the government into disrepute"...but have a different standard for our conduct.

Inaction is therefore not an option!

We must ensure the decisions taken about the functioning of the Legislative Assembly are democratic and constitutionally legitimate. This is the time for the Legislative Assembly to function at its best.

Martin Luther King Jr. said “.... the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Members of the Legislative Assembly have two choices in this matter. Either we rise to meet the demands of our office, or we pull our office down to a lower level. We cannot say we value fairness and accountability and be silent or passive when we were elected to be the voice of the voiceless.