The Leader of the Opposition, Evans Rogers, and the other members, OthlynVanterpool and Edison Baird, walked out of the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning. Their action came after Mr Rogers was not allowed to speak on a motion he introduced ahead of one by Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes.
The walkout came after Mr Rogers had put a number of written questions to Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Hubert Hughes, about the lack of information in connection with the takeover of the two local commercial banks by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Mr Hughes gave written replies to the questions. It was after this that Mr Rogers began to introduce the Opposition’s motion seeking an apology from the Speaker in connection with presiding over the October 25 meeting of the House when there was no quorum.
Addressing the Speaker, the Hon Barbara Webster-Bourne, the Opposition Leader said his motion was in keeping with Section 20, Subsection 9 of the Legislative Assembly (Procedure) Rules 1976. “Madam Speaker, as you are aware, such a motion may be moved without notice because of the critical importance to protecting the rights of individual members of the House and, in particular, the rights of the minority,” Mr Rogers pointed out.
But Chief Minister Hughes rose in objection. “I do not deny the Leader of the Opposition the right to move such a motion, but I think the motions by the Government should come first and his motion should come after,” he told the Speaker.
Mr Rogers replied: “Madam Speaker, what is the basis for that suggestion? The Government’s side of the House has the majority of members in this House. So the Opposition’s side of the House in no way, shape, or form, can prevent the Government’s side from conducting their business. It is simple mathematics.”
Mr Hughes retorted: “I have said clearly that I have no problem with the Opposition having an emergency motion, but the fact is that the Opposition could have had their motion on the agenda within 72 hours before this meeting. And since the Government had its agenda advertised, the Opposition should be gracious to us in allowing us to get through with these motions first, and then, finally, deal with his motion.”
Mr Baird rose to his feet: “Madam Speaker, there is nothing in the Legislative Assembly Procedure Rules 1976 that says that Government must have preferential treatment in this House with respect to a member exercising his right in accordance with Section 20 (Motions without Notice). If you look at Section 20, number 9, it says a motion relating to a matter of privilege – and this is exactly what the Leader of the Opposition is seeking to do. He is laying out his case and the Chief Minister is deliberately interfering with the process, coming up with this bogus argument that the Government must have preferential treatment. Also, Madam Speaker, there is no convention in this House that says that, in relation to a motion without notice, motions of the Government must have preferential treatment so, Madam Speaker, I pray that you will allow the Leader of the Opposition to act in accordance with the Legislative Assembly Procedure Rules 1976 – Motions without Notice number, 20 (9).”
Responding, the Speaker called for order, and for members of both sides of the House to take their seats and to refrain from further debate on the matter. “There is no rule that points out that the Opposition Bench has priority either,” she said. “Therefore, we will proceed with the agenda and we will allow the [Opposition’s] motion [after the matters on the agenda]. Please take your seats. We will continue with Government’s business.”
Opposition Members: “No. no, Madam Speaker.”
Speaker: “Madam Clerk, please continue”
Evans Rogers (Leader of the Opposition): “Madam Speaker, this is exactly what I am speaking about when we speak about abuse of power.”
Speaker: “You will have your turn. Please take your seat.
Evans Rogers (Leader of the Opposition):“No, Madam Speaker, absolutely not.”
With that, the Leader of the Opposition, and his two colleagues, staged a walkout through the backdoor of the House of Assembly.
Chief Minister cut in: “I heard about this walkout so it is not something we didn’t expect…They contribute nothing, anyhow. Let them go about their business.”
The Speaker called on the Chief Minister to continue a statement he was making. Shortly afterwards, Mr Leroy Rogers, the Second Nominated Member and Deputy Speaker, brought “to the attention of the Speaker that, in accordance with Section 52 of the Constitution, and in the interest of democracy”, the sitting of the House should not continue without a quorum.
After the Chief Minister’s critical response to Mr Rogers’ action, the Speaker told the House: “I recognise that there is no quorum of the House. This Honourable House now stands adjourned.”
Apart from the abrupt departure of the Opposition Members from the House, the lack of a quorum was also due to the absence of two of the Government’s Elected Members: Mr Jerome Roberts, who was out of the island on official business; and Mr Walcott Richardson who is receiving medical treatment in Puerto Rico.
The situation in Wednesday’s House of Assembly meeting came three and a half weeks when, on October 25, in the absence of the Opposition Members, and Mr Richardson, the House enacted two pieces of legislation. Thelegislation, passed by four of the eleven members of the House on that occasion, comprised the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2013 and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (Amendment) Act 2013. The Opposition is challenging the validity of that meeting of the House, saying there was no quorum to transact business.
