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| President of the Nevis Island Assembly, the Hon Marjorie Morton being escorted from the Assembly Chambers |
Charlestown Nevis (October 5, 2006) - President of the Nevis Island Assembly (NIA), the Hon Marjorie Morton called on parliamentarians and in particular, the new parliamentarians to promote integrity and conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
She was at the time expressing gratitude to the assembly on her re-nomination as Speaker/President of the Nevis Island Assembly during the new session of parliament on Monday.
'I begin by saying thanks to all the members of the assembly for electing me to office of President to this honourable house. By the help of God, I will endeavour to live up to the trust and confidence you have placed in me," said Mrs. Morton.
'I recall that earlier this morning we took the Oath of Allegiance and prior to today, some took the oaths of office and secrecy. We have promised to uphold many lofty ideals. Ideals of fairness, justice and integrity; there is no doubt, that these ideals are necessary to maintain respect and confidence in parliament and in the parliamentarians themselves," she told a packed audience.
President Morton told the new members of parliament that the assembly was governed by statutory rules and orders and that they must get acquainted with them. "The rules are there to ensure that you conduct yourselves in a responsible manner. I say, acquaint and reacquaint yourselves with them so that the creditability of what is done in this hallowed hall will always remain unquestionable.
I dear say that politicians do not automatically become politicians because we note that politicians often throw caution to the wind and too often hid behind the immunity that this honourable house provides."
~~Adz:Right~~In welcoming all to the session, President Morton extended congratulations to the Premier and his team and to the Leader of the Opposition and his team. She welcomed the media and expressed, "I say to you that you play a very vital role in parliamentary democracy through your fair objective and accurate reporting. You not only keep the public well informed but you greatly influence their perception of the media positively or negatively."
The Hon Mrs Morton has been President of the Nevis Island Assembly since 1992.
Meanwhile, during the 90 minutes throne speech delivered by the Deputy Governor General, it was noted that the Ministers of Government ought to set high ethical standards while in public office and to conduct themselves according.
"We are very serious about these issues and as a consequence, we will introduce new standards of governance in Nevis. Our plan is to enact new legislations to govern the conduct of Ministers in public office, including powers to investigate Ministers and their actions in government," said the Deputy Governor General.
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