NDP urged to press gov’t on HOA questions
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn is facing calls to intensify pressure on the government to restore the question-and-answer segment in the House of Assembly, amid growing concerns about accountability and transparency in the territory’s legislature.
During the National Democratic Party’s radio programme earlier this week, a caller urged the opposition to “make more noise” about the absence of oral questions in the House, arguing that residents were being left in the dark about government affairs.
“This foolishness needs to stop [regarding] what this government is doing. You can’t have a country and we don’t know what’s going on,” the caller said during the programme. The caller also criticised the government’s handling of consumer protection and the suspension of the Trade Commission framework.
Speaking on the same programme, Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull said the opposition intended to continue pressing for opportunities to question the government publicly in the House.
“One of the things that we are indeed pushing for is to get to a position where we are indeed asking these questions and not being silenced,” Turnbull stated.
Turnbull also defended the importance of the Trade Commission and consumer protection mechanisms, arguing that responsibility for oversight should not rest solely with a minister and government department.
Penn separately addressed governance and accountability issues during an appearance on the Talking Points radio programme earlier this month, where he acknowledged public frustration over political engagement and transparency.
“We don’t engage enough or we don’t seem to listen to the public’s view enough right now as it stands,” Penn stated during the interview.
Penn also argued that elected officials must remain accountable to the electorate.
“The people need to have tools to hold us accountable,” Penn said. “And if you’re in the political process, you should be willing to have yourself held accountable.”
The issue of accountability has become a recurring topic in recent political discussions, particularly following debates over constitutional reform recommendations and concerns raised publicly about transparency in the House of Assembly. Opposition figures and radio commentators have repeatedly argued for greater public scrutiny of parliamentary proceedings and more consistent opportunities for members to question ministers directly.
Penn has also recently said the NDP intends to expand public engagement efforts ahead of the next general election, including community meetings and radio discussions across the territory.
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Marlon and Mitch could pressure anybody? Nobody has any faith in them. The NDP picked the two weakest opposition politicians to represent their party and they will reap the results of that decision at the general election. Nobody! And I mean nobody is interested in hearing from the NDP. If they don’t realize this then something is definitely wrong with them.
We the public need to put pressure on Marlon and Mitch for them to not accept the GREEDY BILL money that they voted with Andrew Fahie to take from our treasury. Marlon will go home with over 1 million dollars and Mitch with nearly the same. OUTRAGEOUS! We should not reward them with the government so they could collect even more money because of the new salary increases given to members of the legislature. WE DEMAND THAT MARLON AND MITCH WRITE TO THE LEGISLATURE TO SAY THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE GREEDY BILL MONEY. WE WANT TO SEE THE LETTER!
GREEDY SOBs
Look at them two dead. NDP can’t be serious.
If the NDP had elected Ronnie and Myron as the two leaders the VIP would have been shaking in their boots. But they elected Marlon and Mitch and now the VIP just smiling because they know it’s another term loading for them.
Myron was the chair two elections ago and the people did not vote him nor party. What do you the people really want?
You forget to mention that Ronnie and Mitch had broke up the party and caused it to lose. Don’t have a selective memory.
Marlon was the leader last election and the NDP lose. What made them think this time would be any different?
VIP LOST and Win with Andrew, Lavity, Ralph as Leaders.
NDP LOST and Won with Dr. Smith as leader.
Any leader can win or lose if your party doing a crap of bs and Sowande will lose.
The House of Assembly’s question-and-answer segment is crucial because it gives the people we elected the chance to publicly challenge decisions made by the government, demand transparency and inform the public about matters that affect the country. Without it, the public remains in the dark about issues that directly affect our lives, and accountability is lost. But neither of the opposition’s representatives seems motivated by a genuine commitment to the people, but rather by ego. Every nation needs a strong opposition to keep the government in check, but nothing significant will ever be achieved if the focus is solely on personal agendas rather than what is best for the country and being the true voice of the people.
The indigenous people miss Myron as the leader of the opposition now lol
They calling on sleepy lazy Marlon to get as aggressive as Myron was???
H can’t be Myron no matter how they try, I remembered John cline threatening as though he want to fight Myron saying he questioning the premier like a lawyer interrogating a criminal, and I also forget the word John cline said Myron was doing to his indigenous entitlement elites, now you all get the position you all want some a Myron in it, you all just can’t walk in the man shoes, so to that trip to the UK for constitutional discussion will go down in history as failure by some young selfish men, because malice alone against Myron will destroy the best permutations in this constitutional discussion.
I careless about parties but Let’s run through a bit of history here.
2019 general elections, NDP was faced with a tough task of choosing its next party leader. 3 men campaigned for the spot and 1 came out on top Myron Walwyn. While 2 went for deputy and Marlon won.
Whatever campaigning tactics were used by the successors, caused much speculation and This created an uproar as those that felt they were entitled to the position due to longevity created chaos and decided they no longer wanted to be part of an organization THEY BUILT. They didn’t support the changing of the guard. FAKE Loyalty and entitlement.
Due to this fraction the NDP lost two general elections 2019 and 2023. We come full circle to 2026, Myron left the party to form the Alliance, Mark Vanterpool left the party for his wrongful doings, Ronnie rejoined the party, Mitch rejoined the party, Marlon remained with the party doing what he could in his capacity to keep things together.
A convention date was set at which ALL agreed to. Some painted their cars, all stood before a delegation professing their support for the process and their commitment to the party and supporters regardless of the outcome.
Everyone had their fair share to sell themselves to over 121 delegates. An election came and each vying for leadership positions had an opportunity to sell themselves that day, WHY I SHOULD BE THE LEADER.
Voters voted, votes casted, results came out and who the people felt were deserving of such roles won.
Some Sore losers that helped to build and tear apart the party went full circle back to 2019 elections by creating chaos. From my perspective NDP has the best group of candidates/leaders but the worst group of loyalists. Many seem to use the party and its supporters to be elected and when elected, their “ME” chip gets pushed into their hard drive.
Its time for Marlon and Mitch to guide this party as experienced politicians and leaders and keep pushing.