Representative for the First District Hon Andrew A. Fahie will be boycotting the commencement of the Ninth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly today September 11, 2014, citing Government’s continued disregard for the established practices and conventions and saying he would not condone practices that are questionable and detrimental to good governance. Photo: VINO/File

“I continue to register my concern by expressing my protest to, among other things, the procedures used in the closing of the Eighth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly,” stated Hon Fahie. Photo: VINO/File

This he said in a statement to this news site today in which he outlined his reasons for his decision. He will be staying away despite the fact that some of his colleagues will be participating.

“It only takes a spark to get the fire going and it is my hope that the position taken by the Opposition on September 9, 2014 as well as the stand that I am taking not to attend the Ninth Sitting as a sign of protest will be the catalyst for change for the better in the manner in which the House of Assembly conducts its affairs which is to respect policies, protocols, conventions, laws and what is right,” said Fahie.

He said that as no further correspondence was received from the Speaker, “I continue to register my concern by expressing my protest to, among other things, the procedures used in the closing of the Eighth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly.”

“As leaders we must be committed to do what is right and not just concerned with who is right. I am also a firm believer that you must stand for what is right even if you stand alone,” he said.

“I take my representation of the people of the First District and the people of this beautiful Territory very seriously and I will not compromise their trust in me to look out for their wellbeing by condoning actions that are questionable and detrimental to good governance and democracy. For this reason, I have decided to take a stand for what is right and just. Leaders are not perfect but nonetheless they are governed by the same laws and institutions that govern the people,” he said in the statement.

“These rules & conventions practiced by governments for more than half a century have been the backbone of the progress of the House of Assembly and this Territory. As leaders and as a people if we allow laws, conventions, procedures and protocols to be continuously and conveniently overlooked, manipulated and/or ignored, we leave ourselves and our government open for unnecessary scrutiny at all levels; specifically locally and internationally,” he said.

“I respect the fact that some of my colleagues have previously informed me that they are considering attending the upcoming Sitting solely to attempt to give one more effort in trying to have the matter in question resolved in an amicable manner,” he said.

“Providing they do so, I also publicly register my support for my colleagues for such action once taken. I wish them well but the present culture that has been allowed to be cultivated in the Second House of Assembly has consistently showed that who is right and who has might in the House [have] taken precedent over what is right. Notwithstanding, I pray that my colleagues who may intend to attend the Ninth Sitting are successful in their quest for championing the cause for what is right; not only for the sake of history but more so for the sake of restoring law and order,” said Hon Fahie.

Speaking to this news site today, Second District Representative Hon J. Alvin Christopher and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA said that they will be attending the Sitting. At the Opposition’s press conference on September 9, 2014, Leader of the Opposition Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) made a case for attending the Sitting, saying that the Opposition could use the opportunity of that Sitting to ask questions of the Government.