A shameful display in the House

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I wish to express the profound concern of patriotic Jamaicans following the shameful events in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 28. During what became an 11-hour sitting, the proceedings descended into a spectacle that undermined the dignity of our democracy.

While the House was debating the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority Act, MP Angela Brown Burke interfered with the Mace – a flagrant breach of parliamentary protocol. Despite being “named” by the Speaker, Brown Burke refused to withdraw. Her more than 20 minutes of defiance – characterised by sipping water and grinning in full view of the cameras – displayed a brazen disregard for her office and the Standing Orders.

The situation was further degraded by the conduct of Opposition colleagues, who treated her removal as persecution, singing When the Saints Go Marching In. Whatever one’s opinion of the holder of the office, to portray the Speaker’s response to a serious breach as martyrdom is an insult to the public’s intelligence.

Two troubling lapses in leadership and protocol were also laid bare.

First, the Leader of the Opposition: his silence was deafening. There appeared to be no attempt to rein in his member’s behaviour, suggesting either an inability or an unwillingness to do so.

Second, the Marshal of the House: the delay in enforcing the Speaker’s order was unacceptable. Despite being addressed more than a dozen times, the Marshal moved with glacial slowness, appearing to “negotiate” with the obstructing member rather than uphold the rules of the House.

When elected officials treat Parliament like a disruptive high-school classroom, they forfeit the respect of the public. The business of the country is far too important for such theatrics. I urge members on both sides to place the nation first and to safeguard the dignity of the House – for the sake of the electorate and for posterity.

V. SILVERA