Just in case persons may have missed them, two pertinent statements were made during Monday’s sitting of the new Anguilla House of Assembly – one at the commencement and the other just before the adjournment. The first, in the form of a poem, entitled On Hallowed Ground, was delivered by Anguillian poet and Methodist Superintendent Minister, the influential Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs. The final lines of that poem read:
…Season your deliberations with humility,
Let not falsehood or recriminations, the lure of wealth,
Pride and vainglory, defame this sacred institution,
Or cause the people to lose confidence in your decisions.
Speak the truth passionately, quietly and plainly,
It will stand the test of time and strengthen character.
Hold fast to that which is good, respect each other.
The result of your stewardship will be God’s favour,
The people’s respect, and peace and prosperity in Anguilla
This Land of Beauty,‘Tranquillity by the Sea.
Those are indeed powerful words penned by a beloved and outspoken man of God, and probably inspired by God Himself. The entire poem, which appears elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian, is worthy of deep reflection and heeding, given the fracas and disrespect which marked the conduct of business in the House of Assembly over the past five years.
The second statement was made by the veteran Speaker of eleven years, the Honourable Leroy Rogers, who was elected unopposed to that high office, after a five-year break. He said:
The election is over so govern yourselves accordingly in this House.
Do not use the immunity of this House to attack your opponents whether in this House or outside. Remember that it is the people’s business. This is an Honourable House so let it remain honourable.
Both gentlemen are fully aware of what they are talking about. They have been part of the citizenry of Anguilla who have been ashamed of the disgraceful conduct that has been a scourge to the House of Assembly meetings over the years. Apart from the personal scorching attacks on members, there have been defamatory and deadly attacks on defenceless persons outside the House, without recourse for justice, redress or succour. It is no wonder that persons have been researching the possibility of challenging the immunity in the House by bringing law suits on the mudslinging and cowardly politicians sheltering under the so-called parliamentary privilege. It is known that members of the former Government were the main actors on this woeful stage of hurling unfair, and uncalled for, abuse and attacks on various persons. We hope that this kind of behaviour will not raise its ugly head again.
In her delivery in the House at Monday’s sitting, the Leader of the Opposition, Palmavon Webster, joined the chorus of voices against this demeaning practice. A victim of such attacks, she vowed to do something about bringing an end to immunity in the House of Assembly when members, way out of order – and permitted by an uncaring and biased Speaker – can unleash some of the most unimaginable doses of venom against their opponents inside, or, perhaps, worst of all, outside the House.
The above conduct of some of our erstwhile politicians has attracted much condemnation and disgust from listeners, at home and abroad, to the live broadcasts of the House of Assembly. Schoolchildren, and other youngsters, who should have been able to learn something useful and uplifting from past parliamentary sessions, have themselves been turned off by the unfortunate conduct. Worst still, some of our youngsters have even been negatively influenced by the ill-behaviour of our political leaders, and have pointed to that unfortunate behaviour when rebuked for their own outbursts and bad conduct.
We pray that none of our present Elected Members, on both sides of the House, will ever slide down that forbidden road of wanton abuse of privilege and power, and will now work towards upholding the dignity of the House of Assembly. The expectation is that the current Speaker, known for his experience, mannerly disposition and declared impartiality, will maintain order and decorum in this honourable institution and that it will eventually evolve into an emblem of national pride and clean debate. In the end, such a responsible and important national institution would assist in contributing to the kinder and gentler administration that Chief Minister Banks likes to talk about so much.
