BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CALLS have been made for Parliamentary Representatives to behave more appropriately while engaged in House debate.
Speaking to SKNVibes, Hon. Mark Brantley, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Federal Parliament, said he was “concerned” about the level of decorum in the National Assembly. During his speech in Thursday’s (Nov. 5) session of Parliament, the Nevisian politician was subjected to several interruptions and distractions from other Parliamentarians.
“I am the most recent addition to the National Assembly, and as a young Parliamentarian I believe we can do better.
Parliament is supposed to be centred around discussions on ideas, not engaging in cross-talk, personal attacks and distractions. When someone is speaking, only they have the floor and persons should not try to interrupt or drown them out,” Brantley said.
SKNVibes contacted the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two, who agreed with Brantley, admitting there was too much “cross-talk and disrespect” in Parliament.
“Parliament always allows for some banter and verbal pressure. I mean, the British House of Commons is a very tough place but there are certain standards that need to be observed.
“Persons elected to Parliament are there to represent the interests of those who put them there. Any interruptions or disrespect levied against them are also directed to the persons whose interests they are serving,” he noted.
The former Minister of National Security reasoned that while persons may call the local version of Parliament “mild” in comparison to others around the world, a higher level of tolerance and respect needed to be maintained. According to Astaphan, this requirement should be met by both Parliamentarians and persons in the Visitor’s Gallery.
It was less than a month ago that the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Curtis Martin, stressed that he would not allow the National Assembly to be used as “a political place”.
His comments came after a Parliament visit by members of opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM). He had threatened to eject them for disrespectful behaviour, which he said included the waving of a white handkerchief by Party Spokesman Chesley Hamilton.
However, Hamilton maintained he had done no such thing and accused Martin of “grandstanding”.
