BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WHILE he admits that he could not share the sentiments of others that Dr. Douglas is proposing to increase the number of Senators to hold on to the majority vote in Parliament, Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Mark Brantley said if this reasoning holds true, “it is worrying” to say the least.
Several individuals – including at least one member of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition – have expressed that the proposed Senators (Increase of Numbers) Bill, 2012 was not being forwarded to Parliament for the expressed reasons.
These reasons include the facilitation of the election of a Deputy Speaker for the House of Assembly and the facilitation of gender balance in the House.
But the common indication among persons with whom this publication has spoken is that Dr. Douglas’s intention – especially since he is rumoured to be at odds with two of his Ministers – is to ensure that he receives the majority vote for any bill which he wants passed into law.
It was to have been given a second reading during yesterday’s (Nov. 21) Sitting but time probably did not permit. And Parliament was adjourned until December 7, 2012.
“I don’t know if Dr. Douglas is making this move to hold on to the majority vote, but if that view has any merit, then it is worrying…because what it will in effect mean is that people who are not elected would be used to dilute the vote, dilute the authority of people who are.
“And that, to my mind, cannot be correct in any democracy; that non-elected individuals would have that type of role. But beyond that, I cannot comment because I don’t know what the reasons may be. I have seen a statement by the Prime Minister indicating what his reasons are and I have not heard anything differently. So, I will have to wait and see, and I believe the Members of the Opposition and the Members of Parliament would deal with the matter on the 7th December.”
The Opposition Leader explained that his colleagues on the Opposition Benches have need to peruse and discuss the Bill, especially because it could change the composition of the law-making body.
“In so far as the Senators Increase Bill, that is a matter which we have to discuss very carefully. It has the potential to change the balance of Parliament. It also comes with a cost to the public purse at a time when we are repeatedly told that the country’s under austerity measures and everybody else is being asked to tighten their belts. So, it is a matter which I would need to be persuaded would somehow benefit the country. That matter was adjourned until 7thDecember and so we will deal with it then.”
Meanwhile, regarding the first reading of the Integrity in Public Life Bill, which was forwarded by the government, Brantley described it as “a triumph for the Opposition”.
“I think the nation can be proud that the Opposition is doing its work and has been working hard on behalf of the people of the nation. I am very proud that being the Opposition we have led the way towards transparency and accountability. We look forward to the debate on that Bill and I trust and hope that the second reading and debate would happen before this year is over.”
In 1996, shortly after the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party was elected to office, the Integrity in Public Life Bill was forwarded to Parliament and given its first reading. Similar legislation was forwarded to the Parliament by the Opposition in mid-April 2012 but it was not tabled.
