Free National Movement (FNM) senators boycotted the Senate, saying they were supporting the position taken by opposition MPs who walked out the House of Assembly last week after their leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis, was named and suspended.
FNM Senator Kwasi Thompson said the decision to suspend Minnis made a “mockery of our parliamentary democracy” and after much deliberation the opposition senators decided to stand with the FNM leader.
But Leader of Government Business in the Senate Allyson Maynard-Gibson condemned the FNM’s actions and noted that the business of the Senate continued in the absence of the boycotting senators.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised that the FNM chose to demonstrate yet again that they put cheap politics over the interest of the Bahamian people,” said Maynard-Gibson, who is also attorney general.
“The stem cell legislation, the legislation to deal with the administration of justice and legislation to deal with financial services are all important to Bahamians and will impact Bahamians directly.”
Several bills were read for a first time yesterday, including the controversial stem cell bill.
Thompson, along with senators Heather Hunt and Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Desmond Bannister spoke to reporters in the Minority Room of the House of Assembly.
Senator John Bostwick was not present.
Bannister said as a courtesy he advised Maynard-Gibson and Senate Vice President Joseph Curry of the opposition’s intention to make a communication.
He claimed Curry indicated the reading would not be permitted.
Thompson said Minnis was stripped of his parliamentary rights and privileges last week when he was made to leave the House after Speaker Dr. Kendal Major suspended him for two sittings.
Thompson announced that they will not return to the Senate until Minnis returns to the House.
“Today cannot be business as usual for us as opposition senators,” said Thompson, who read that communication intended to be delivered on the Senate floor.
“We submit and believe that the entire event was contrary to the House rules and an affront to democracy, freedom and liberty.
“We believe and submit that the position taken by the honorable speaker, and as a consequence the procedure adopted by the majority, was wrong, flawed and an abuse of authority.”
Major’s decision came after Minnis refused to withdraw comments he made in mid-July in the House about Prime Minister Perry Christie’s relationship with fashion designer Peter Nygard despite repeated orders from Major to do so.
Maynard-Gibson told The Nassau Guardian, “Dr. Minnis is not a member of the Senate and we would have hoped that the interest of the Bahamian people would have meant that the FNM senators would have been present to represent the people and we hope that they will accept their responsibility and be present to participate in the debate on August 28.”
She added, “I draw their attention to the fact that when Minister Glenys Hanna Martin was suspended (while in opposition), although we objected, the PLP was responsibly present participating in debate on behalf of the people.”
Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith said the stance taken by the opposition senators was an “extreme disappointment”.
“We wish to register on behalf of the Bahamian people our extreme disappointment and disgust for their behavior, which is reflective of the behavior of the leadership of that organization, which I believe the majority of Bahamians are sorely disappointed in as well,” Smith said.
“…At the end of the day they are here to serve the good of the Bahamian people through their participation, be it at times very limited.
“Nonetheless, they are here to serve the Bahamian people.”
By Royston Jones Jr
Guardian Staff Reporter
