Parliament is not a 'dead house'
published: Friday | December 19, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

PARLIAMENT IS a place where heated discussions/debates often ensue. From time to time the individuals who make up this House get carried away. This could be due to a number of factors including over-exuberance, ego or passion for a particular cause. However, when Minister Paul Robertson abruptly walked out of the House recently, I would like to believe that he was either having a bad day or was simply tired. I base my opinion upon the fact that the said minister has a very good track record of decorum in Parliament.

UNBECOMING BEHAVIOUR

Whatever the reasons for unbecoming behaviour by parliamentarians during sittings, we the public must be cognisant of the fact that we would be far worse off were we to have a passive and 'dead' Parliament with little or no passion for important issues. Though we the public, including the press, should never reserve constructive criticism against our parliamentarians when such criticism is necessary, we must also be careful not to go overboard ourselves when reacting.

Parliament, as the PM has rightly stated, is not a "Sunday school class". However, he also reiterated the point that parliamentarians are adults and should act as such. I agree. We must be cognisant of the fact that heated debates ensue in parliamentary chambers all over the world. In fact, democracy caters for this and thrives on it. What is of the utmost importance is not decorum in parliament but a parliament that is effective and passionate and which translates into meaningful change for our beloved Jamaica.

I am etc.,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica