'Compromise could have been found' before Opposition HoA walkout - Hon Mather
Speaking during an Opposition press conference on Thursday, November 2, 2023, Hon Mather said, "We as leaders owe the public the respect and maturity to discuss things before they out of hand. A compromise could have been found then and there, it was not until we sat for almost three hours, had a launch break, returned and a motion was brought up that an order paper would be re-arranged.
"There was no mention at that time whether the question would be answered in that sitting, there was of course no indication as to when a sitting would take place because, as the public is aware, we do not have a schedule."
Hon Mather said with Standing Finance Committee and preparations for the budget on the way, he is left to wonder when the questions would be answered in the HoA.
Speaker Hon Corine N. George-Massicote has already said the Opposition would have to re-submit their questions for the next sitting of the HoA.
“I stood up to ensure that my frustration with the lack of courtesy and professionalism that could have been used to avoid the outcome. That outcome was not considered, as peers there should be a level of respect for each other,“ Hon Mather continued.
Hon Mather makes suggestions for HoA
The Deputy Speaker has called for the establishment of a schedule of dates for the House of Assembly and to make the HoA as booked and as organised as the government's travel plans.
“Extend the time frame for submission of questions. As it stands, it's seven days, give the members more time to prepare questions, and give the civil service more time to provide responses,” he said.
He further added, “Limit the statement made by the ministers. We had 23 statements that took three hours on Tuesday. Host sittings for questions. This will allow for clearer expectations for both sides of the aisle as to what we are there to do.”
Hon Mather called for the HoA to have the same urgency as other institutions and bills that get first and third readings on the same day.
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26 Responses to “'Compromise could have been found' before Opposition HoA walkout - Hon Mather”
1) Ronnie, Myron, Mitch, and Marlon were all members of the NDP who made this action a regular at each Sitting for years when they were in government at every session of the House of Assembly through their boss Orlando and never once did any of them object. So how come all of a sudden the shoe is on the other foot it is a problem. They are only reaping what they sowed.
2) The action is legal as it is allowed under the laws of the House of Assembly once the majority agrees. It does not mean the questions will not be asked but it will be done later in the proceedings of the House of Assembly. The rules to make this shitlft just needs an approval by the majority and not everyone.
This is nothing new nor nothing illegal. The Opposition needs to sit down in the House and do the people's work and stop this unnecessary show hoping to gain political points. We the people are hurting and need representation, NOT A SHOW!
Moreover, the current opposition in the HoA squandered the opportunity after the April 24, General Election to form the government, having won 7 of 13 seats. Nevertheless, greed, ego, strong personal ambitions, selfishness, hardened intransigent, recalcitranc, and uncompromising attitudes and behaviors prevented it from forming the government and running things. Running things is the now the province of the VIP, having recruited a member from the opposition to join its ranks, leaving the opposition out in the cold, in the wilderness.
The opposition is now sulking over the lost golden opportunity to form the government. And is pushing real hard to push their its agenda as if it were government but it is not. It failing to form the government is a huge opportunity cost which will linger for a life time or longer. Elections have opportunities, optimism and consequences. The opportunities are painful, distressing, etc when squandered.
Rasta don’t be fooled you look better in green the color of the land.