Walwyn vows tighter scrutiny over House rules
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn pledged to be much stricter in holding the government accountable to parliamentary rules after an Opposition no-confidence motion was removed from the House of Assembly agenda yesterday because of a technicality.
House Speaker Corine George-Massicote upheld Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s objection, ruling that the motion had not been properly placed on the House’s order paper because it was not submitted according to the requirements of Standing Order 23.
The Speaker stated, “It was clear that the motion was sent to the Speaker rather than the Clerk,” the Speaker said. “My ruling is that the motion on the paper was not properly placed, as it did not comply with standing order 23 and as such, should be removed.”
However, the ruling sparked frustration from the Opposition, with Walwyn accusing the Premier of playing politics and attempting to delay the motion for personal advantage. “It’s a bad day for democracy and it’s a bad precedent being set in this House. Because I for one, after this, I ain’t letting nothing pass. Absolutely nothing,” Walwyn remarked.
He said the Opposition allowed the Premier during a sitting last week and previous sittings to introduce bills at the last minute that were not on the order paper. “We did all of that as a show of bipartisanship for the love of our country,” Walwyn said.
Walwyn stressed the importance of bipartisanship in a parliamentary democracy and argued that the Opposition had been very accommodating in helping the government pass numerous bills over the past three months.
“I am extremely, extremely disappointed in the Premier. Even today, one [government] member is short. If the Opposition gets up right now and leaves this House those financial services bills cannot be done today,” Walwyn argued.
He continued: “Should we take that position and say, ‘Okay, since you behave this way with us, we’re going to take up our bag and go out?’ You understand what happens when you don’t have bipartisanship and decency, common decency? This boils down to decency, common decency.”
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Brother W, your effort is fully respected 10000%
However, how did your team miss such an obvious requirement?
You know that poltics don’t play fair and seldom equal.
Our country’s has lost her name Tortola, and is now named the Typhon. She isout in thee middle of the Atlantic, she has no rudder, no engine, no sails and no captain.
We all cannot jump off because the water is rough and most of us can’t swim. Maybe Ig can make a few more rupies before the ship sisnks?
Do continue doing what you are doing Sir, keep the people informed while teaching teaching us simultaneously.
There is not,unlike the others, an article that you put ot that many do not learn from. Please keep it up.
I have learned so much…..Retired Edcuator/teacher
THE THING START
Who prepares the Order Paper? It the document was not properly addressed, why did the Speaker not advise? Sounds to me like she also needs to vacate her seat!!! We are busy playing dolly house with the affairs of the country and enough is enough now.
And as for Corner Lady, I continue to be so disappointed in her. Don’t you dare put your name back on any ballot!
The rules of the house of assembly are very long and extensive. One will not and cannot know every single rule in the standing orders.
Quite often the government breaks those rules and they are left to be continued out of courtesy. The speaker admitted that she errored and that is enough to give her a pass in my opinion. She corrected her mistake at the expense of the opposition who should know better.
A precedent was set and now it will affect the premier the rest of the way in the house of assembly. I don’t think he weighed the consequences of his actions enough.
More scrutiny should be placed on the House Speaker Corine George-Massicote.
It maybe she is only concern with vip business and not the people’s business. We need a speaker to reflect the will and views of the people, not someone who is sold out for vip whether right or wrong. Blind loyalty will doom us all on this tiny island nation.
10,000% correct. Scrutiny should be placed on her back, she needs to take the lick. Plenty of us knows exactly what was laid out and played out. Like you said, BLIND LOYALTY SHALL BE OUR DOOM. THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN AT NIGHTS……….. BLIND LOYALTY SHALL BE OUR DOOM!!!!
Nonsense excuse. The COI bills were for everyone in the Country and for you in the opposition to keep your status. The no confidence vote was for you in the opposition’s ego and no one else. It was a selfish move to make at that time. And the excuses are pathetic. You guys can’t get out of your own way and would have been terrible at governing also. Did you expect Lorna or Kai to side with you on the vote? A truly pathetic play on your part.
Boi take a bleach , your evil b& jealous thoughts is as dark as your color / you will not be a better speaker than she is , so keep your gutter mentality for yourself , and please stay on your yello site where you king in your fantasy mind , bye-bye drama Queen that’s anadded attraction for your WIG. We guarantee you get all the attention you crave for
Wa ever happened to those planes we had buy did we get back that money sir