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Speaker, Opposition Leader clash on Standing Orders

- but debate on Motion brought by Hon Julian Fraser RA allowed nonetheless
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA and Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses clashed over a procedural issue which concerned his bringing a motion to the House to debate a notice that the Government had tabled in regard to a loan from the CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. Photo: VINO/File
It was during yesterday’s April 18, 20 sitting of the House when the Speaker, seen by many as biased in favour of the National Democratic Party, sought to caution the Leader of the Opposition. Photo: VINO/File
It was during yesterday’s April 18, 20 sitting of the House when the Speaker, seen by many as biased in favour of the National Democratic Party, sought to caution the Leader of the Opposition. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA and Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses clashed over a procedural issue which concerned his bringing a motion to the House to debate a notice that the Government had tabled in regard to a loan from the CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

It was during yesterday’s April 18, 20 sitting of the House when the Speaker, seen by many as biased in favour of the National Democratic Party, sought to caution the Leader of the Opposition.

She argued that the notice by the Government came under 27 L of the Standing Orders, meaning that it is not an item of business that the House would not have had knowledge of it before. She said in order to deal with that item of business it is moved and seconded and then the question is put.

“This is what we have done in the past,” she said.

However, Honourable Fraser argued that the question is put after the debate, unless he was “missing something.”

According to the Speaker, the procedure is one that has been done “two or three times in the past.”

It's up to the House- Speaker

The Honourable Leader of the Opposition said during the Second House of Assembly he had moved a motion to have a document laid on the table debated in the House. “I was forced to take my seat and before i could sit down someone else got up, seconded the motion and just kept talking,” he said.

In response, the Speaker said that there is the question of whether the House wants to interrupt its usual course of business to deal with the matter and then continue.

She said too that it is a matter for the House to decide whether they want to deal with the matter “here and now” or whether the members want to come back having had proper notice and then it would go through the normal process.

“Madam Speaker that is not the way I understand it. I see this as part of the normal process,” he said, noting that the member who brought the notice, in this case the Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, would be in a position to debate it being knowledgeable of it.

But the Speaker, after going through the technicalities of the provisions of the Standing Orders, said, “You cannot come with a motion without notice and expect to have a full fledged debate and then all of the other things get pushed back to some later time.”

Following this brief exchange, the question was put and the motion carried, opening up the floor for a debate on the motion with regard to the notice of a loan to the BVI Ports Authority.

15 Responses to “Speaker, Opposition Leader clash on Standing Orders”

  • jtv (19/04/2016, 10:05) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply

    too damm bias

  • too bias (19/04/2016, 10:11) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    the speaker doesn't have a clue
  • one thing i must say (19/04/2016, 10:13) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    FRASER CAN REPRESENT
  • NDP voter (19/04/2016, 11:42) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    The house of assembly has hit rock bottom
    • Not suprised (19/04/2016, 14:52) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      The speaker of the house is one of the NDP cronies if you ask me. She defends all the BS they bring to the house and always quick to tell the opposite go sit down. Sick of her right about now. : (
  • wow (19/04/2016, 18:56) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The speaker is always biased against the opposition
    • @SMH (19/04/2016, 19:42) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      Really? At least she listens to them and let them talk unlike the speaker who VIP had. He never listen or let NDP speak and that was a laughing matter to Frazer them...That speaker is who had no clue..
  • The Reaoer (20/04/2016, 07:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @jtv. Bias what ? When Vip was Government U see how they had A Realy Goodl Time 11 - 2,.Real,Real JTV.
  • foxy (20/04/2016, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the speaker has become the BVI Sarah Palin!
    • vx (21/04/2016, 10:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Nawww, as ditzy as Sarah Palin is, ms. Speaker can step in Sarah Palin shoes. I would love to see a debate between the two of them though. Remember, Sarah Palin knows how to hunt Mooses.
  • chad (23/04/2016, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look how quick people forget things this is the same person who when his party was in power and someone ask him an question in the house he up an say he no answering that question did the then speaker said anything to him, all I have to say what's goes around come back around


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