Speaker’s bark bigger than bite
As expected, this morning’s proceedings inside the National Assembly Building were dominated by the usual political rhetoric. But before things got underway today, Speaker of the House, Elizabeth Zabaneh, tried to do some housekeeping and instructed the members to refrain from the use of certain words that, by all accounts, have been part of the legislative vocabulary since the birth of the nation.
Elizabeth Zabaneh, Speaker of the House
“There is another matter that I should like to advert to. It is the use of certain words and language, which are unbecoming in those who have been chosen to represent the people, and also improper in reference to other representatives of the people in this honourable House. The use of such words as corruption, lie, criminal and sweetheart deals and others in reference to the actions of a minister or Senator, will not be permitted. I shall rule such words or language as out of order.”
And the first person to find himself out of order with the Speaker was none other than Michael Finnegan. While members from both sides of the House can often be heard engaging in minor heckling, today, the Speaker was having none of it… at least from the Opposition. Her attempts at enforcement, however, were less than successful.
Mark Espat
“Expenditure was confined only to the seven percent…”
Elizabeth Zabaneh
“Gentlemen, gentlemen. Let’s have some order, I’d like to listen to the man. If you don’t want to listen then you can leave…I said if you don’t want to listen you can leave…One more interruption sir and you will see what will happen.”
Michael Finnegan
“But I no care weh yuh do. What can you do.”
(Zabaneh motions for National Assembly clerk to remove Finnegan)
Dean Barrow
“No Madam Speaker, there is a procedure, you cannot do that, please check your standing order. There is a procedure. You cannot do that. (to Finnegan) No go nowhere. Unless somebody names him you cannot…”
Mark Espat
“Madam Speaker, I was saying that…”
The standing orders of the House include provisions to remove a member by the process of naming him. The only representative ever named was Philip Goldson.
