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EDITORIAL - Giving shape to the new House
published: Monday | September 10, 2007
The 33-27 final count in the general election gives the JLP a margin of victory over the PNP which is about half the margin enjoyed by the previous administration. Magisterial recounts or other legal action could change that margin, but there are other factors that play a role in how the Parliament as a whole should operate in the next administration.
With a smaller margin, the newly elected members of the 60-seat House, of Representatives must have sense of responsibility to attend the sittings of the whole House, as well as the several Select Committees. As stipulated in the Standing Orders (rules of procedure) these committees "shall be so constituted as to ensure so far as is possible that the balance of parties in the House is reflected in the committee".
A most significant change in recent years is the opening of the committees to public and press, giving an insight into how policy is transformed into legislation at this level. The formal initial public announcement of policy remains the business mainly of ministers at sittings of the whole House in the Gordon House chamber; but such sittings now seem less frequent while the committees are busier than ever.
A notable aspect of the committee system is that the important Public Accounts Committee is chaired by a member of the Opposition. It would be a radical but interesting departure from tradition if the new Speaker, now normally chosen from the Government side, is also chosen from the Opposition benches. The only prohibition in this regard is that a minister or Parliamentary Secretary cannot be elected Speaker.
The old time Budget Debate of the early years of Independence, involving every member of the House, is now restricted to a select few; and followed by Sectoral Debates of shorter duration. But some old habits of oratory persist, though disguised in slick refinement.
We refer to the flouting of Standing Order 32(11) which states in part: "A Member shall not read his speech but he may read extracts from written or printed papers ... or refresh his memory by reference to notes."
After every major House sitting, such as during the Budget Debate, the well-packaged speeches are made available to the press, having been read and refreshed at length to a television audience, with nary a rap on the knuckles from the Speaker's Chair.
There is no great harm in this infringement, except from the aspect of the impact on listeners with a stake in matters of public importance. The new Members of Parliament, as well as the public, may be better entertained by one of the potentially more engaging periods in the Legislature. We refer to Question Time when the Ministers of Government are required to answer queries about matters under their respective portfolios. The written questions and subsequent answers are normally followed up by supplementaries and can provide lively exchanges.
We are reminded of the format of the national debates which were staged during the recent campaigning for the general election. Question Time in the House could follow this format with Opposition and even backbenchers from both sides asking the supplementary questions of the ministers; in effect, doing what the press panels did in those national debates.
This could enliven the proceedings in Parliament, keep the ministers on their feet or toes, and even point to new stars in the political firmament.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses willbe published.
published: Monday | September 10, 2007
The 33-27 final count in the general election gives the JLP a margin of victory over the PNP which is about half the margin enjoyed by the previous administration. Magisterial recounts or other legal action could change that margin, but there are other factors that play a role in how the Parliament as a whole should operate in the next administration.
With a smaller margin, the newly elected members of the 60-seat House, of Representatives must have sense of responsibility to attend the sittings of the whole House, as well as the several Select Committees. As stipulated in the Standing Orders (rules of procedure) these committees "shall be so constituted as to ensure so far as is possible that the balance of parties in the House is reflected in the committee".
A most significant change in recent years is the opening of the committees to public and press, giving an insight into how policy is transformed into legislation at this level. The formal initial public announcement of policy remains the business mainly of ministers at sittings of the whole House in the Gordon House chamber; but such sittings now seem less frequent while the committees are busier than ever.
A notable aspect of the committee system is that the important Public Accounts Committee is chaired by a member of the Opposition. It would be a radical but interesting departure from tradition if the new Speaker, now normally chosen from the Government side, is also chosen from the Opposition benches. The only prohibition in this regard is that a minister or Parliamentary Secretary cannot be elected Speaker.
The old time Budget Debate of the early years of Independence, involving every member of the House, is now restricted to a select few; and followed by Sectoral Debates of shorter duration. But some old habits of oratory persist, though disguised in slick refinement.
We refer to the flouting of Standing Order 32(11) which states in part: "A Member shall not read his speech but he may read extracts from written or printed papers ... or refresh his memory by reference to notes."
After every major House sitting, such as during the Budget Debate, the well-packaged speeches are made available to the press, having been read and refreshed at length to a television audience, with nary a rap on the knuckles from the Speaker's Chair.
There is no great harm in this infringement, except from the aspect of the impact on listeners with a stake in matters of public importance. The new Members of Parliament, as well as the public, may be better entertained by one of the potentially more engaging periods in the Legislature. We refer to Question Time when the Ministers of Government are required to answer queries about matters under their respective portfolios. The written questions and subsequent answers are normally followed up by supplementaries and can provide lively exchanges.
We are reminded of the format of the national debates which were staged during the recent campaigning for the general election. Question Time in the House could follow this format with Opposition and even backbenchers from both sides asking the supplementary questions of the ministers; in effect, doing what the press panels did in those national debates.
This could enliven the proceedings in Parliament, keep the ministers on their feet or toes, and even point to new stars in the political firmament.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses willbe published.