By Vernon Daley, Parliamentary Reporter
Junor
A FEW days ago I tried to start a discussion with a colleague of mine about the usefulness of parliamentary debates. He would have none of it. As far as he was concerned, the debates in Parliament are a grand waste of time and it made no sense to pretend they did.
I found it difficult to argue because I knew he was substantially right. The outcomes of these debates are painfully predictable and smack of a sham, when one thinks about it.
Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will debate a motion, brought by Opposition member Dr. Ken Baugh, calling for the removal of Health Minister, John Junor, over the recent children's home scandal.
SERIOUS MATTER
It is an important debate. Calling for the sacking of a Minister is a serious matter. But, since we all already know the outcome, why have that debate my colleague asked. It's a reasonable question.
The fact is, the Government which has 34 members in the House, will use its majority to out-vote the Opposition, which has 26 members. In other words, long-winded men will have an opportunity to expatiate on an issue, knowing full well that the script is already written.
This is part of the crisis in our system of government and which leads many to call for drastic reforms. Can you imagine a Government member voting for the resolution in the John Junor affair or an Opposition member voting against it? They would spend the rest of their parliamentary life tending to the wounds, sustained by hostile fire.
Opposition member, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett still has some fresh scars to show for his sins. Earlier this year, he made the 'mistake' of abstaining on a motion, which his party voted against. He was severely criticised by his colleagues, who felt he had 'dissed' the party. I applauded him then and I applaud him now for having the courage to stick to his conviction.
CHANGES
If there are going to be changes in how the parliamentary system of government is practised, then it has to start with the political actors themselves. They have to claim their independence, even as safeguards are inserted into the system to give them protection.
Despite the obvious weaknesses in the system, I still don't believe that the debates are entirely useless. A keen public should look for evidence among those contending arguments to help it determine the suitability of one side or another to run the affairs of the country.
So, a Government may today use its majority to defend the indefensible, but it is the people, who should tomorrow be the final arbiters on these important matters.
RIGHT MOVE
Sharon Hay-Webster, made a right move last week when she called on the House to study the implications of rape and incest on the society. The MP for South Central St. Catherine earned a stripe in my book. These grave sex crimes need urgent attention and I am glad that she decided to bring the issue to the nation's Parliament.
That's the kind of thing one wants to see a backbencher doing. Merely being a back-up team for Ministers and State Ministers, earn them no respect. They need to realise that.
Send comments to: vernon.daley@gleanerjm.com
