A FAILING GRADE!
That is what Barbadians near and far have given to parliamentarians for their behaviour in the House of Assembly in recent times.
On NATIONNEWS.com and our Facebook page (facebook.com/NationBarbados), readers were scathing in their denunciation of MPs, particularly in light of Tuesday’s row which ended with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and MP George Payne being ejected by Speaker Michael Carrington.
Readers termed the behaviour of Mottley and Payne “shameful” and “total disrespect” to the Speaker. Of the 165 readers who responded to an online poll at time of writing, 84 agreed with Carrington’s actions to eject them from the House, while 69 disagreed.
Mottley in particular, as Opposition Leader, was harshly criticised.
“The Speaker explained his ruling with relevant Parliament rules . . . Mia had 14 years of the Speaker on her side now she [has] got to learn to operate as the Opposition and learn some manners,” commented Ryan Kellman via Facebook.
On NATIONNEWS.com, one reader using the handle my 2 cents also knocked Mottley, saying:
“The Leader of the Opposition has proven time and time again that she does not have the temperament necessary to lead anyone, anywhere. . . . I believe that she might wish to take heed of the question posed by the late Rt. Hon. Errol Barrow: “What kind of mirror image do you have of yourself?”
Some readers were also critical of Carrington’s handling of the event and asserted that the Opposition Leader should have been allowed to make her point.
“This is what the Parliament of Barbados come to? Why were the Opposition members not given an opportunity to speak? Is this democracy?” questioned John B on the NATIONNEWS.com report on the incident, while Concerned Youth queried: “How can he reject a point of privilege if he does not allow the member to speak? It makes no sense.”
However, with Tuesday’s events coming weeks after an incident between MPs Dr David Estwick and Dale Marshall during the Estimates Debate on March 19, the mood was one of general disgust with MPs, with readers saying the standard of behaviour was not befitting of the House.
“My opinion was that the behaviour of those parliamentarians was shameful. For a moment there I thought that I was viewing a rum shop brawl. I think those people better get their act cleaned up,” commented Charol Forde via Facebook.
Another Facebook fan, Deborah Thompson, expressed dismay at the behaviour on both sides of the aisle, writing:
“What is happening to [our] society and our leaders? Then to read the reaction of the Government side saying “put them out”.
“They should have kept quiet. How do we turn back from here?”
On NATIONNEWS.com, one reader wrote:
“I expect this type of behavior from schoolchildren, not from the people we have elected to lead this nation into the future. Grow up and look beyond your own personal agenda and false [bravado] . . . . Go to the headmaster’s office.”
Perhaps the most damning criticism came from the many readers who charged that MPs were not setting the right example for young Barbadians.
“We are wondering why our youth are behaving the way they are . . . What message are we sending to the young people of this country? The message is clear- it is okay to disregard and disrespect rules and order” declared NATIONNEWS.com reader Nita.
“They [should] be good influences and [are] failing miserably in doing that, and then they don’t want dancehall artistes in Barbados,” stated Stefan Browne.

BARBADOS’ DEMOCRACY is now at risk.
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley made this charge at a hastily called Press conference yesterday just after she and Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew, George Payne, were ejected from the Lower House during a tense and eventful morning session in which both members had heated exchanges with Speaker of the House Michael Carrington.
Mottley said the Speaker did not give her and other members of the Opposition a fair chance to articulate their views.
“Parliament in Barbados has been brought to a level that none of us has experienced before in relation to the failure to allow members the opportunity to speak. For centuries members have claimed that right to be able to speak.
“If the Speaker desires to rule a member out of order, he can do so if he wishes after they have spoken. But the right to be able to articulate your views is an ancient right, claimed on behalf of all members at the start of Parliament,” she said.
Mottley said that it was a deliberate attempt to shield the Parliament from any discussion on the need for a gun policy for Parliament and more importantly, the CLICO issue.
The Opposition Leader said the CLICO issue was of more significance to the public as over 800 people had policies which were now worthless.
She reiterated that those persons had purchased policies at a time when CLICO was not allowed to sell any new policies by the Supervisor of Insurance.
Mottley said the Speaker of the House did not allow her, George Payne or former Prime Minister Owen Arthur “to open our mouths”.
“The question that has to be asked is what is it that the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the Speaker is so frightened about. Is it now that they understand that the Prime Minister has done a disservice as Minister of Finance to over 1 000 households, to an entire financial sector that now stands exposed because they have policies that nobody can claim now to be sold by a legal entity with lawful authority.”
Mottley made it clear the Opposition would continue to raise the issues to the people.
“The immediate thing may appear to be the expelling of ourselves and the threat to expel the others, and we will deal with that as a threat to our democracy, but it will not stop us from recognising that our continued duty must be to the Barbadian public and therefore we will act in a manner that places that at the centre of all that we do.”
Mottley said freedom of speech was now threatened, saying that even a condemned man had the right to speak before a law court.
She said she wanted to send a message to the DLP government that “you can run, but you cannot hide”.
Mottley said since January 2008 there had also been a deliberate attempt to treat former Prime Minister Owen Arthur with a level of disrespect. (MK)

SPEAKER of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington was “terribly disrespected” by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and St Andrew MP George Payne who were spurred on and commanded by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.
Leader of Government Business and MP for St Michael North West, Chris Sinckler, said the Opposition had shown utter contempt for the House and the Speaker in Parliament yesterday.
“What we have had for all to see is a common display of arrogance and downright bad behaviour by at least two senior members of the House who should at least be setting an example for younger and more newer parliamentarians in the House of Assembly yesterday,” he said.
Sinckler reminded Mottley, in particular, that the rules of the House had to be respected.
“Who is Miss Mottley? Who is Miss Mottley that she believes she does not have to follow the rules in Parliament?
“You are free to speak in Parliament as an elected Member but you do not have the right to just get up and speak on whatever you want, however you want, and if ever you want.
“There are rules, and the same rules that govern us, are the same rules that govern the Opposition. And that is what Miss Mottley needs to understand. I have no doubt she does, but this political game of pretending you can ‘rabble-rouse’ anyone in Barbados because it suits your purpose is just not on.”
Sinckler said yesterday’s drama in the House was political gamesmanship gone awry and a sad reflection on politicians and certainly on the Opposition.
He noted that Parliament was no Sunday school but felt it was disrespectful not to step back when the Speaker rose to indicate he was asserting his authority.
“The Leader of the Opposition and the Member for St Andrew displayed blatant disregard for the rules of the House. They were on their feet when the Speaker himself was on his feet when the convention is that so long as the Speaker stands, all members are to be silent.
“It sends a terrible message to young people in this country; indeed, to all people in this country. Democracy in Barbados is not under threat. What is under threat is good manners, decent behaviour in the House of Assembly and the ability to understand that when rules are established, that those rules must be followed.”

Statement of Dale D. Marshall, Q.C., M.P. given at Parliament this 27th day of April, 2010
 
MR SPEAKER, the circumstances in which I stand to address this Honourable Chamber are such that they can bring no pleasure. To use the words of Edmund Burke, these are matters on which it is difficult to speak, but on which it is impossible to remain silent.
I have been advised by the Clerk of Parliament that I must, in seeking to have a matter involving the conduct of a Member of Parliament referred to the Committee of Privileges, address your Honour The Speaker on the facts, and I therefore rise to do so.
On the evening of Friday, March 19th, I was in attendance at Parliament. This was the final day of the Estimates debate of the year 2010.
At about 7:30 in the night, the House was debating a matter relating to the Barbados Drug Service. The Member for St Philip West was speaking on the subject of the Barbados Drug Service, when I rose on a Point of Order. I was heard on the Point of Order by the Chairman of Committees and then took my seat.
After taking my seat, the Honourable Member for St Philip West again addressed the Chamber, and upon taking his seat, shouted across the Chamber that he was going to slap me across my head.
Mr Speaker, this threat by the Honourable Member was totally unprovoked and came as a complete surprise to me, as at no time did I address any comment or remarks to the Honourable Member while on my feet or while in my seat.
In fact, I do not recall any instance during the previous four days in Parliament or on the last day of the debates at any time addressing the Honourable Member, either directly or indirectly on any matter relating to the debate or otherwise.
The Honourable Member repeated the threat again, whereupon I got up and left the Chamber. After about ten minutes, I returned to the Chamber and took my seat.
Immediately upon me resuming my seat, The Honourable Member for St Philip West bellowed across the Chamber the following words: “You couldn’t wait outside for me? I ready for you now! Come back outside if you is a bad! I gine slap you cross you head! Come back outside if you is a bad!”
The Honourable Member then jumped up from his seat and proceeded in the direction of the door to exit the Chamber.
I left my seat and followed him to the door. We approached the curtain in the Chamber from opposite directions. He reached the area of the curtain first, and I was approximately one step behind him.
As I rounded the edge of the curtain, I saw the Honourable Member for St Philip West bend over and remove his firearm from his ankle holster. He returned to an erect position with his body turned towards me with the firearm in his hand. The firearm was still in his right hand and he was looking at me in a menacing way.
The Honourable Member then pushed the firearm into his pants waistband on his left side, directly in front of me. He then turned and opened the door and exited the Chamber.
At the time when I saw the Honourable Member remove the firearm and with the firearm in his hand, I was fearful for my life and safety.
I went out of the door to the Chamber behind the Honourable Member and emerged in the area outside of the Speaker’s office. On my emerging into that area outside of the Speaker’s office, the Honourable Member turned to me and walked up to me in a belligerent and threatening manner, saying “I ready for you now”.
The Honourable Member continued his threatening, aggressive and belligerent behaviour towards me with further threats of beating me. By that time, The Honourable Member for St Andrew, the Honourable Member for St Michael North, and the Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Member for St Michael North East had come out of the Chamber.
The Leader of the Opposition positioned herself directly between The Member of St Philip West and myself. The Leader of the Opposition said to the Honourable Member for St Philip West, “You gine hit me?” And other words followed.
The Honourable Member for St Philip West continued his threatening, aggressive and belligerent behaviour towards me. By that time, the Honourable Member for St Philip North, the Minister of Housing, had come out of the Chamber and was trying to restrain the Member for St Philip West by seizing by his left shoulder and left arm and pulling him away in the area of the bust of Sir Conrad Reeves, which is situated at the top of the stairs.
Shortly thereafter, the Member for St Philip West pulled away from the Member for St Philip North and rushed towards the Member for St Andrew. The Member for St Philip West then backed the Member for St Andrew against the wall with his continued threats and his belligerent and aggressive behaviour.
The Leader of the Opposition and the Member for St Thomas, who had by then come out of the Chamber, went in between the Member for St Philip West and the Member for St Andrew to prevent the Member from St Philip West from assaulting the Member for St Andrew.
All the while, two other Honourable Members for the St Philip constituencies continued to try to restrain and subdue the Member for St Philip West.
I am aware that there is a security camera in the area of the bust of Sir Conrad Reeves and I believe that much of what I have stated would be verified by the security footage.
There was one police officer in the vicinity of the bust of Sir Conrad Reeves during the altercation. The situation was quelled shortly thereafter.
Mr Speaker, those are the facts.
I respectfully submit, Mr Speaker, that the conduct of the Honourable Member for St Philip West with the firearm constitutes the act of brandishing his gun and constitutes disorderly conduct. It was done within the precincts of Parliament and specifically, before the Honourable Member exited this Honourable Chamber.
His handling of the gun was executed in a threatening manner and his conduct falls far short of the standard of conduct that is required of Honourable Members within this Chamber.
Mr Speaker, the conduct of the Honourable Member for St Philip West affects this House and its Members in that it is likely to bring this House into disrepute. The conduct was disorderly, contumacious and disrespectful.
I therefore move that the conduct of the Honourable Member for St Philip West be referred to the Committee of Privileges for its consideration and recommendation.

FORMER Prime Minister Owen Arthur said he was saddened to see the level to which Parliament had plummeted.
And according to him, Speaker Michael Carrington was a representation of the “poor rakey parliament this parliament has become”.
At a hastily called Press conference by the Opposition yesterday, Arthur acknowledged that the Opposition had lost confidence in Speaker Michael Carrington to preside fairly.
Arthur, the Member of Parliament (MP) for St Peter since 1984, said the basic rights of the Opposition were trampled for vexacious reasons.
“I was elected in this House to speak in the House. That is what being a Member of Parliament does.
“After 25 years in this Parliament, it saddens me the tragic state to which our Parliament has fallen. I have seen members on all sides, under all speakers, enabled to exercise the fundamental right of a Member of Parliament, the right to speak in the House of Assembly.”
Arthur said that when the Speaker of the House reportedly said in the past that Members of Parliament should be required to report to their constituency, he may have gone too far.
“As a Speaker of Parliament, he is totally out of order to be laying down rules that are supposed to be binding upon Members of Parliament, outside his House.”
Arthur said his colleagues had nothing to be ashamed of and must be commended for their fight for democracy.
He said the DLP Government after two years had not settled and this was why they would continue to lash out in and out of Parliament.
Arthur said there was a need for the quality of Parliament to be restored. (MK)

THE NINE SEATS which were conspicuously empty in the House of Assembly last Tuesday will be filled today.
And according to Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, the voices of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) will be heard as they continue to seek the establishment of a gun policy for Parliament.
One of those voices will be that of Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dale Marshall, who has promised to have his say on an alleged incident involving himself and Minister of Economic Affairs Dr David Estwick.
It will be the first time Marshall will speak to the public on intimate details of the matter, having previously written a letter to Speaker of the House Michael Carrington, asking that Estwick’s behaviour be referred to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges.
“The situation that we are faced with Tuesday [today] going back into Parliament is one where instead of Estwick being the individual on trial, the DLP wants to put me and my parliamentary colleagues on trial. It will not end so,” Marshall told a BLP nomination meeting at the Christ Church Foundation School last Sunday night.
The nine BLP members who boycotted last week’s resumption of the House after an Easter break are all expected in their seats today, Mottley informed the DAILY NATION yesterday.
She felt their protest had the desired affect.
“The impact we wanted was for the public to fully realise how important a gun policy in Parliament is,” Mottley said. “This is a very simple issue we want settled, and now that the Speaker of the House acknowledged this is a matter for him, we hope it will be dealt with quickly.”
She said, however, that she found some of Carrington’s comments in the House last week to be “curious”.
Mottley said Carrington’s comments that a gun policy would not be introduced at the whim and fancy of one or two MPs would have to be looked at more closely.
“This is not just at anyone’s whim and fancy. The Opposition firmly believes that wanting a gun policy is a serious but simple issue that can be dealt with.”
According to her, buildings such as the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, the National Insurance Building, and the new Halls of Justice – all Government buildings – had strict gun policies in place, and the requisite electronic scanning equipment to go with such policies.
“We feel Parliament should be the same. It’s that simple,” Mottley said.
She said the BLP MPs were to meet last night to determine if to raise the matter again when the House convened today at 10 a.m.
Last week, the Opposition boycotted proceedings, and Carrington made an official comment to the House, regarding not only a gun policy, but also an alleged incident.

MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS Dr David Estwick, under fire for his role in a March 19 incident involving an Opposition MP, has flatly denied he brandished a gun whilst at Parliament during last month’s Estimates debate.
But he apologised to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Michael Carrington, for his behaviour when he was involved in a heated altercation with Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dale Marshall that led to an incident which has become a national issue, and helped trigger a boycott of Parliament yesterday by the Opposition, which had also called for his sacking from Cabinet.
In a brief statement in Parliament yesterday, Estwick also denied that he had threatened Marshall after a heated argument between the two outside of the chamber but still within the precincts of the House of Assembly.
Last week, St Joseph Member of Parliament (MP)Marshall made an official complaint to police, saying he had been threatened by Estwick, and felt intimidated and fearful for his life during the alleged incident.
Estwick’s comments were made with the seats opposite him unoccupied as members of the Opposition kept their promise not to attend the House until a firearms policy had been established.
The public gallery was full, however as several people made the trek to the House in anticipation of Estwick’s statement.
“On the last day the House sat during the Estimates debate, an event occurred which has given cause to much debate and discussion on a number of issues including Parliamentary privilege, and the conduct of members, and the carrying of firearms,” the MP for St Philip West stated.
“On the day in question, certain remarks made across the political divide caused me to leave the chamber and to get into a heated discussion with two members of the Opposition within the precincts of Parliament.”
He then noted that on reflection, the entire episode was unnecessary and viewed by others as “sending the wrong message”.
“Let me make it abundantly clear to all, that I did not initiate the confrontation,” he told the Speaker. “… And neither did I brandish, or threaten with a weapon, any member of this House, as has been implicitly speculated. Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, even though there have been attempts to blow this matter entirely out of proportion, I wish to apologise to you for whatever part I may have played in the events of March 19, 2010.”
According to Estwick, his behaviour may have reflected poorly on the standing and reputation of the House of Assembly.
“… But I will reiterate, that at no time did I brandish a weapon or threaten any member of Parliament,” Estwick concluded to loud applause from his colleagues.

 
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, Michael Carrington, has described the Opposition Barbados Labour Party’s boycott of yesterday’s sitting as a slap in the face of the parliamentary process and bordering on contempt.
Carrington cited several comments made by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, printed in both daily newspapers yesterday.
“It may be necessary for this Chamber to take further action,” the Speaker warned.
In addition, Carrington said a firearms policy would not be introduced at the House simply because other jurisdictions had done so; on the insistence of a few MPs; or as a knee-jerk reaction sensationalised by the media.
He also defended his actions since the matter was officially brought to his attention.
“I deprecate the suggestions made both directly and obliquely that the Speaker has not done his job properly, or quickly enough. I consider it an insult to this office,” he told the House during a 23-minute statement.
Carrington said both Marshall and Mottley had requested the matter be heard by the Committee of Privileges, but yet neither were in their seats yesterday.
He noted that in this regard, the incident was reported to have taken place when the House was in Committee of Supply, and that Barbados’ system of government considered matters of privilege to be of paramount importance, and that such matters be raised at the earliest possible time, which would have been when he took the chair for conclusion of the evening’s debate.
“It was not so raised, yet leave has been granted to have it raised this morning,” the Speaker said, explaining why he had taken the opportunity to speak on the matter yesterday.
Carrington also called for more Members of Parliament (MPs) to seek clarification from Parliamentary staff regarding the exact rules of the House, and what actions should be taken in an effort to have certain matters expedited.
“I regret having to deal with this matter in this way, at this time. I am of the view that it is necessary to preserve the authority of this honourable chamber. I have received no indication from any member of Her Majesty’s Opposition about his or her absence this morning.”
The Speaker said it was not for him to speculate as to why they were absent, but he considered their no-show unfortunate.
He read to the House the dates, times and details of every piece of communication he received from Member of Parliament for St Joseph, Dale Marshall, and Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley, between March 19 (the date of an alleged incident between Marshall and Minister of Economic Affairs, Dr David Estwick) and yesterday.
Carrington revealed that he also wrote Mottley on April 14, 2010, informing her that he advised that matters which involved the authority and dignity of the House would be investigated by the Committee of Privileges.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, Michael Carrington, has described the Opposition Barbados Labour Party’s boycott of yesterday’s sitting as a slap in the face of the parliamentary process and bordering on contempt.
Carrington cited several comments made by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, printed in both daily newspapers yesterday.
“It may be necessary for this Chamber to take further action,” the Speaker warned.

In addition, Carrington said a firearms policy would not be introduced at the House simply because other jurisdictions had done so; on the insistence of a few MPs; or as a knee-jerk reaction sensationalised by the media.
He also defended his actions since the matter was officially brought to his attention.
“I deprecate the suggestions made both directly and obliquely that the Speaker has not done his job properly, or quickly enough. I consider it an insult to this office,” he told the House during a 23-minute statement.