Former Justice Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Herbert Volney said he is appalled by the proceedings in the House of Assembly in Dominica saying parliamentary democracy is under threat due to the “dictatorship” of the Speaker of the House, Alix Boyd-Knights.
In a post on his Facebook page, Volney said he watched House proceedings on Monday and “I am appalled at what I have seen.”
“I have had the great privilege of being a member of the House of Representatives in Trinidad and Tobago and to witness and be part of the proceedings there,” he said. “Parliamentary democracy in Dominica is under threat by the dictatorship of a Speaker, unelected by the people, who presides over the conduct of the chamber as a school teacher would in a Primary School.”
He said one of the bills, that was being argued in the house, “required the latitude of free speech and relaxation of the strictures of court rules in order to allow the Opposition to express their concerns.”
“While relevance is important there is much room for a Speaker to allow for a more relaxed and respectful approach to the debate. She was quick to shut down member after member on the Opposition citing standing orders,” Volney stated. “I am saddened to say but this Speaker is painting a very negative image of parliamentary privilege and conduct by stifling the say of the Opposition.
The Government side will have its way at the end of the day but it is important that the Opposition be given an opportunity to have its say. I have been privileged to have watched the modus operandi of Dominican Speakers Winston, Cools-Lartigue, and Davis-Pierre in the House of Assembly. Their approach was not legalistic as is that of Madame Speaker today, and fine debating skills were allowed to develop and flourish.”
He said such attitude is embarassing to him in the diaspora. “My advice to the Opposition is to walk out en masse until the Speaker understands that this is not her classroom and the chamber belongs not to her but to the elected members. I heard no one on the government side cite a standing order objection and it is not for the Speaker to do the work of the members on the government side,” he stated.
“The Prime Minister must seriously now consider the damage that the Speaker is doing to the image of his governance of Dominica by her outlandish conduct in presiding over the chamber, and the desirability of retiring her to pasture.”