BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER three Parliamentary sessions and hours of debate, the contentious Senators (Increasing of Number) 2012 Bill was passed into law earlier today (Jan. 29), despite vigorous disapproval by members of the Opposition Benches and two members of the Government Benches.
Shortly before 4:00 p.m., a vote was taken in the House of Assembly where seven Members of Parliament (MPs) registered their vote against the Bill and eight registering their vote for it, effectively guaranteeing it’s safe passage.
The Bill provides for the number of Senators to increase from three to six; an extra two for the Government and one for the Opposition.
When the last sitting of the House was adjourned, the popular consensus was that with former Minister Dr. Timothy Harris and Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor opposing the Bill, it would have meant that a 7-7 vote would have been recorded.
However, last evening Jason Hamilton, Barrister-at-Law, was sworn in as Attorney-General and this morning took an oath making him a Senator of the House.
Leader of the Opposition – the Hon. Mark Brantley - questioned the new AG’s right to vote on a bill, having joined the august body two sessions into the life of the debate of the Bill. But his attempts of explanation were dismissed by the Speaker who ruled that according to Hamilton’s Instrument of Appointment, AG Hamilton had every right to vote.
In his presentation, Brantley suggested that it would be best for the country and its people if the Bill be withdrawn. He pronounced that the Bill would dilute the voice of those MPs elected by the people.
Member of Constituency Number Four – Glen Phillip – was in full support of the Government-sponsored Bill, explaining that he could not “be a member of the Government and at the same time tear down the Government that I am a member of…”
Dr. Douglas – the final presenter for debate on this Bill – stated that persons are making attempts to invalidate the reasons outlined by the Government for the tabling of the Bill, while noting that the expressed reasons were genuine.
With the addition of AG Hamilton to the House, and with the passage of the Bill, the Government Benches is strengthened by three and the Opposition Benches by one.
