Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton has called on the re-elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alix Boyd-Knights “to be fair” when dealing with matters of Parliament.
Boyd-Knights was re-elected for the fourth time at the First Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament on Friday.
“Madam speaker, on the occasion of your election to serve as Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly in Dominica for the fourth straight time, I only rise to remind this House of the expectations articulated by Prime Minister Honourable, Roosie Douglas, of blessed memory, at the sitting of the House of Assembly on the 17th of April 2000,” he said.
He continued, “’As she can see this is quite a balance house in the sense that we have a very strong coalition on one side and a very strong opposition on the other side. It means that this condition would call for a certain amount of magnanimity on your part, it will call for certain amount of fairness because of course in the parliamentary system which we use, the majority side will always tend to prevail, but you have to be fair, you have to be objective and you have to allow all opinions to contend at a level in which the truth prevails and the debate in the House itself is balanced.’”
Linton also called on the Speaker to use the new term to go through periods of reflection as to how she conducted parliamentary duties over the years.
“We all go through periods of reflections and I am sure that for you, Madam Speaker, will be an important period of reflection as to how it is that you have conducted Parliament over the past fifteen years and how you would like to be remembered for what you do in this final term,” he noted.
Linton added, “Madam Speaker, the necessity of fairness and objectivity, the necessity to allow opinions to contend and the necessity to do that at a level in which truth prevail and the debate in the House is balance, that’s all we ask from you.”
instead of asking her to be fair he should ask for her to turn water into stone x
Watching the opening of parliament it finally dawned on me how inadequate Linton really is. He is like a fish out of water he was reading the act where an oath has to taken in advance before standing orders can be submitted but he didn’t understand it. It was very embarrassing. Change is definitely a must this leader has to be changed
Oh well. The day’s events are on Youtube, wide open for everyone to independently judge the behaviour and character of each member of this latest House. See who is well bred. See who has a chip on his or her shoulder. See who still do not know the rules of the House. See whose intention it is to insult the Speaker at every opportunity. You be the judge.
Honorable Lennox Linton, I think that you are expecting something from the Speaker, which is fairness but that is impossible to happen , Sir she is devoid of any such qualities. Dominicans should be very happy for the live television broad cast of the house proceedings to witness the toxic and noxious behavior of this INDIVIDUAL..
Hats off to you Mr. Linton…..and your team in the House…..we are watching and listening…
madame speaker to bias the good lord will teacher her a lesson she will never forget god do things in his own time i hate that lady
what do you know? Linton tried to get rid of our Madam Speaker but did not succeed.He could have asked Madam Speaker to be faif when dealing with the house matter but no ,through his big arms around and now rapping them around his chess.There are rules everywhere which must be adhere to, House of Parliament,Air Port etc. that must be obeyed
On several occasions, Hon Linton has asked for not only fairness in the parliament but honorable behavior. During the debate, this is what Regie had to say, “the further Isaac has done out of Roseau, is behind the Portsmouth Government School, where he owned a failed bakery.” This is what Skeritt had to say , “madame speaker, we have some parliamentarians here, who have not received a paycheck for years, some of them are going to receive a pay check for the first time.” In retaliation, Monell, associated Kelver with drinking beers in a rum shop, madame cankerous, according to Edison, who appeared not to have heard the comments of Skeritt and Regie was all over Monell like rain on a stormy night. You talk about fairness, that is fairness. Hon Linton must come to the realization that the muzzling of a Rottweiler isn’t as easy as he believes.
People who abuse power will cause their own demise remember man may stop man BUT no one can stop the power of GOD so if the speaker think God sleeping think again he sees and knows everything
omg look jokes in the house.the man wanted to debate look is now we seeing what he really capable of.the man do not know anything about the house and the rules of the house and is even trying to tell the speaker what to do in the house.he pass like a big joke yesterday.ALAS
Are we going to build our nation or is it a new round of insult and innuendos? Is this type of behavior warranted! At the beginning of the house, we are already seeing blatant disrespect. Those who feel that it is ok to behave in any manner that suits them, DA will never move forward.
But it seems like the deputy speaker is no different to the speaker. This Kelva Daroux took a cheap shot a Lennox Re- prostitute comment and when Lennox objected on a point of order the deputy speaker said Kelva was not referring to a Lennox. They are all the blasted same dlp operatives. Sheep in wolves clothing, they can never be fair. They actually sounds like illiterates the lot of them.
Linton, consider doing the business in Parliament as peacefully as you could for which you were elected. Be not stubborn and disobedient to authority. You are only the opposition and an elected member, thanks to James who aided you to obtain a position in Parliament. Do not let it go over your head. Be humble, loving, respectful and gracious. Conduct yourself accordingly. If you do, you will achieve much for the constituents who elected you. They are watching and listening what you can do for them as their elected MP. I do not think they will appreciate this tug-of-war which you are projecting.
Be respectful of the position of Madame Speaker of the House. She has a job to perform. You say she is unfair. You are the one who is unfair since you always want your way. It is “ME, Linton” and no one else. You think you have all the rights and no one else has rights. You have caused enough trouble. Watch your words in Parliament. Be also docile in your mannerism.
I want to congratulate the members of the opposition for a job well done, you will get there. You made me proud because you all acted like gentle men and lady. Your level of debate is commendable, please keep it up. God bless you all.
I listened to the proceedings of the House to the end. My assessment – apart from the ‘political’ rantings from some ministers, the level of debate was acceptable. It is very obvious that the presence of the new Opposition raised the level of the usual substandard presentations.
The Speaker was more concerned about petty departures by the Opposition which appeared to rob her of her authority. Her unnecessary interference with their deliveries did not unsettle them. They remained steadfast and dignified.
Let’s hope the Opposition continues to remain as positive as they did today. Congratulations to the Opposition on their first sitting.
There was a lot to be learnt today and I hope all realize that tit for tat is fair play. PARLIAMENT IS NOT Q95, A POLITICAL PLATFORM NOR A RUM SHOP.
The UWP must it is imperative that they familarise themslf with all aspects of the laws of the land governing parliament because they are dealing with a government who is strictly working with the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. They could be left very frustrated if they do not become law savvy also.
I listened to what Mr. Linton had to say and I applaud him. He was just reminding Alix Boyd-Knights of her conduct for the past fifteen years as speaker of the house and how she should be balanced and fair to all and not just to those of her party.
The eyes have it.. Well Linton boy you in trouble the big horse going to ride you..
Stuppes what is really your point, you all need to get a hold of yourself. Show me where these men and women do not care about the country. Idiots.
Lenox man you are nothing but an embarrassment to yourself, your supporters and dominica by extension. Boy please stop being so ignorant.
The house assemble should be about fairness and respect, leaders, senators and reps. should shown there good side of willingness as well, And we hope Madame speaker will shown her fairness.
Well Lang Mama, we have to start from somewhere. Let’s all hope the “Olive Branch” thing will be at the back of everybody’s mind. Like Marpin shows sometimes: “The cameras are watching”. The longest rope has and end.
u can see these people don’t care about our country? Why u always have to warn madame speaker. she is not your kid, watch your mouth…I hope when all u start chooking poopoo and it start smelling all u can handle it.
Your names says it all Stupes
Do you know the definition of Setups? Setups is short for the word stupid, if you look up setups in any dictionary, the definition is always stupid!
Food for thought oui!
You watch your mouth and get real with objective debate……..you are too partisan and blind to partisan politics….for real you are in stuuuueps mood.
You are correct to make this statement. Linton does not care. He is bent on making adverse statements and trying to change people when he is the one with the adverse attitude who needs changing. He says what he wants, does not humbly apologize and does not realize that most of this indifference is due to him.
His supporters who do not see him for what he is will give thumbs down. Who cares? Their thumbs down do not make a difference. The truth must be spoken even though it hurts and they do not like to read it. One day they will see their error of supporting people who are out to destroy D/ca; cause division and disunity and not build it up and enhance it Dominica cannot progress under such a person with such an attitude. Some of us can see through him and his party.
Let the truth be told and prevail. One day the truth will reveal its face to them, some to their detriment.
stupes February 20, 2015 “Why u always have to warn Madam Speaker. she is not your kid”,
You are right! All I read here was like a father lecturing his daughter on good behavior–this man has no etiquette of no kind–when will he come to know his place in society?
I know that DNO has to allow everyone to write their posts. But GARBAGE/TRASH/FILTH like what this dude “stupes” just posted should not be left for the rest of the world to read. All the leader of the opposition was asking of her is be fair. Dominica is a Democratic state and the way the Honorable PM and some of his ministers behave one has to wonder if we are really a Democratic state. I have read of so many leaders whose constituents disagree with them, but I haven’t read where one of them publicly told their citizens to ” go to hell” .
You have a problem. We all know that this is the most bias speaker in the history of Dominica. She sounds so distasteful when she is sighing and scrathing her throat when the opposition is speaking. She needs to be a referee and not a bias supporter of the DLP. Dominica needs better.
I find no fault wit the leader of the opposition opening remarks to the re elrcted speaker. How long? not long??? read thru the lines.
You should know that not everyone will agree with you supporters. When you all are on his side and support whatever he says and does, you will never see his fault and find fault in him. Birds of a feather flock together. Show me who your friends are and I will show you who you are.
Yea right, not fault? Did he congratulate the Speaker? He should have taken the opportunity to extend the olive branch to the Speaker. He missed his chance. Anything else is too late. He must learn to be diplomatic. See our PM offered an olive branch to him and he does not even know how to accept it much less passing it on.
The other members of the opposition ignored him and offered their congratulations to the Speaker. Whether they meant it or not, it was the correct thing to do. We know how the opposition feels but when you do something right it should be pointed out. They did the right thing in congratulating the Speaker.
Lennox, I like your style, I really like your style. You say it as is not being a hypocrite at all. You did not rise to congratulate but to remind her to be fair.. Our society needs more people like you who don’t just go with the flow and do what is expected of you as the norm but what exactly your heart and the circumstance at the time merits.
she will become more anti-opposition with these truths revealed. Lennox is no favorite of mine but he can be upfront and truthful when necessary.
After watch the house online it clear/evident that she began her chastising of the opposition.
As for the pitbull the mentality was clear to all .he just can’t help himself.
As he said he was trained in the Guyana swamps. I thought as someone once said when UWP was in power Eddie was a swamp man.
Eddie has been in the swamps since his retirement from politics planting dasheen.
I guess Eddie’s plans & hope were dashed to be president if UWP had won on Dec 08-2015 when LL did not deliver the BACON as promised. So there goes Eddie throwing stones into the sea at Krane after leaving the swamp.
Well said.I really admire his love of country.Had it not been for Linton,this island would be a haven for corruption.Its funny how he is silent on other issues regarding the rule of law/.History always repeats itself, when necessary.I wonder if history will be kind to him regarding the rule of law then.Let the chips fall where they may.
According to the Speaker, Members of Parliament are “strangers” to the House up until the moment they are sworn in, then why did she entertain bills from the “strangers” on the government side and she did not accept questions from the “strangers” on the opposition side?
They were all sworn in today. They became parliamentarians at the same sitting yet, the govt side was allowed to submit bills prior to being sworn in but the Opposition members are being told that their questions could not be entertained because they were strangers to the house ….they had not been sworn in.
How much more bias can this woman be? What a democracy!
People like you will never learn…The Government does not have to be sworn in..but every individual member has to be sworn in..the Government submitted its bills…You all seem to know too much whereas you all know nothing.
Did you not know that there are two sets of people in Dominica, i.e. “the privileged ones” and the “under-privileged”. The former allowed to act with acceptance and the latter not given the right to speak – they have no voice. It is disheartening to here the PM says he will govern with fairness and justice for all and with a wiff forget his promise of that which he promises to do, being fully aware that the people he just made this allegiance to will not wise up to that behaviour. It pains me when I listen to these promises that comes in sheep’s clothing.
On the other note: It boggles my mind, that the above blogger name “stupes” is allowed to post such utterance and DNO always cancels my blog. Sa lavi
The law. The Government is the executive of Parliament. They have been running the country since the re-election. The UWP has been in parliament since 1990 and formed the government from 1995 to 1999. I am surprised they left the opposition leader all on his own and so unprepared. How could he have been so clueless on the workings of parliament.
Vice, I support your comment. Original law makers always leave loop holes crooks thrive on so as to have advantage. In a true democracy where the people’s interest should be first, parliamentary representatives should be sworn in about two weeks after elections, rather than having a show first to announce cabinet. Educate me…. all those smart lawyers that are in the land. Should it not be parliament first and then Cabinet?
All that trying to score political points in this country is sickening.
There goes LL’s point on being fair. The old speaker is set in her ways just as Pipip the member for cottage.
LL was correct in requesting she be fair in her last term lol!
It is easier for a tidal wave to hit Dominica and the water enter would the parliamentary building then for the speaker to be FAIR. The Speaker’s behavior today, tells the whole story.
well, well one day and problem start already. D eyes have it..
@ stupes , hope the stupes choke you .Shut your uneducated mouth. You are one of those people that cannot independently think. Look around you and see what is going on and then engage your own brain before putting your mouth into gear.
Sadly, there is more to come. Linton is never out for peace but for trouble. I pray that God will put a stop to this someday and soon enough. Dominica, nationals and Parliament want peace. He is, as usual projecting his true colors which some are too blind to see and too deaf to hear. They will not have peace as long as Linton is in the opposition and disappointingly elected. God help those who have to put up with him and his adverse and aggressive mannerisms.
Are you really from DA?
Let’s hope the Honourable Madam Speaker took this with a grain of salt.
Is she really an honorable woman?
I call on all Dominicans at home and abroad to listen to, observe and evaluate that speaker.
May God help Dominica. May God deliver Dominica from the hands of wicked,evil,corrupt and dishonest men and women.
Whichever you look at it, if I were her, I would let it go in one ear and out the other. His charade is not worth it.
I Love Lennox Linton and the United Workers party . I know you would be the one to bring change to Dominica.
You mean to create a lot of raucous and consistent disagreement in Parliament? Linton does not apply diplomacy and does not live by it, thereby not being able to extend it to others especially in Parliament. He wants his way. It is a selfish attitude. This is what he is capable of doing.
You like people who do not create peace?
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
St. Paul said, “Strive for peace, for without that holiness no one sees the Lord.”
When are some of you as Linton going to be obedient to Our Lord and St. Paul in order to get along with others and to live accordingly?
You want peace? Then live in peace with others. It is observant that you supporters love lack of peace and disunity. Anything for excitement even though it also causes division and disunity.
Linton you are asking for way too much. Since when hair grow on a bottle. Since when a damaged and compromised speaker produce good quality sound.
This woman is a paradox. She advocates women’s rights and speaks out on the issue of abuse of children and I applaud that but wheb she sits in a position to demonstrate fairness and unbiased decisions, she is unconscionable. That is why when she speaks on an issue one tends not to look at the message, not the messanger. In that huge body of hers does she not have a morsel of fairness? Madam Speaker remember, every long rope has an end, so just pray when yours come to end you are not dangling over a precipice.