MLAs get lessons in democracy
(CNS): A number of the country’s novice MLAs and some new Cabinet ministers spent two days learning about parliamentary democracy and how the Legislative Assembly works in a post-election seminar conducted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, last week. Speaker and veteran politician, McKeeva Bush, former minister Rolston Anglin and Mary J Lawrence a one term speaker of the LA, shared their local know-how about the LA with the newcomers.
The CPA Secretary General Akbar Khan, the speaker from Trinidad’s parliament, Bridgid Annisette-George, Bermuda’s former speaker of the assembly, Randolph Horton and Heather E Cooke, a former Speaker at Jamaica’s parliament also took part to share a wider regional perspective regarding democracy.
Bush told his new colleagues that post-election seminars offer a valuable resource for members.
A number of issues were covered and Khan highlighted the need for more women representatives in Commonwealth countries parliaments. While Cayman managed to elect three women to fill some of the 19 seats, in the last General Election or just under 16% of the MLAs, around the Commonwealth the are countries with no women representing the people at all. Khan also acknowledged the CPA Election Observer Mission findings that the May national poll met international standards for “democratic, genuine and transparent elections”, with the results “truly reflecting the will of the people”.
Welcoming all, to the seminar on behalf of government,McTaggart who is serving his second term as an MLA in George Town, he is embarking on his first as a Cabinet minister having taken up the public finance portfolio. He urged his colleagues, particularly those newly elected, to take advantage of seminar to empower themselves and “understand all aspects of their function as the people’s representatives.”
McTaggart, was joined by Dwayne Seymour, the new health minister who is serving a second term as an MLA and also takes up a ministerial post for the second time having spent a few brief months as community affairs minister following the fall of the 2009-2012 UDP administration after the then premier, Bush, was arrested over the misuse of a government credit card.
Deputy Speaker Bernie Bush was also there and although he is another second-term MLA he is taking up the post of deputy speaker for the first time. Novice MLAs Barbara Conolly, Austin Harris and David Wight who were all elected for the first time in MAy and are serving on the government back bench were also there.
Kenneth Bryan, a new opposition MLA was not in attendance as he confirmed that he was away on a family vacation which had been organised before the CPA seminar. Meanwhile, CNS was unable to reach the remaining first-timer Chris Saunders regarding his failure to attend.
Category: Government oversight, Local News, Politics
The picture is proof Bush still has a clean hand.
Light refreshments of carrots and milk were served to those of pure hands.
I suppose these lectures on Parliamentary rules and conduct in the official as well as private spheres, were arranged prior to the “Casino” affair. However, given that we have now been informed on what we should expect in terms of behavior (at all times) from our elected Peoples representatives, The Hon. Speaker of the House must realize that he does not meet the standard and if he cared about what kind of opinion the local and international community has about Cayman, he would resign his position and go sit amongst the MLA’s for whom he has arranged this training!
His behavior in the Casino events may not reach the level of a crime, however it certainly was behaviour unbecoming the holder of the position of Speaker of the house.
Did Akbar throw in a little sharia law for good measure?
Mary Lawrence yikes!!
You mean after all. these years of being a politician he just got his first lesson in democracy . But I think that we should be careful with how Mr Khan is teaching democracy to these politician .
What a waste of time. Are we paying for this dude?
What a laugh, I’ve seen more democracy in troops of primates.
To be fair, Bodden Town has been wondering where Chris is as well.
Chris who???
Look at Mac, fresh out da casino, boi…
Lessons on ethics, dignity, integrity should be presented to all, especially McKeeva!
And remember…. It’s O.K. to grab bass in a deomcracy.
Well……. Does everyone know how to grab buns now? Politicians are so lucky to have guidance from the experienced experts.
Come on guys you know he got a bun rap.
Love the photo, the look on Bush’s face…”Democracy, me??”