A motion of no confidence in Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, was defeated in Parliament on Wednesday.
The motion was brought by Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, who accused Skerrit of mismanaging the economy.
However, drama erupted in the in the House when Linton was presenting the motion after House Speaker, Alix Boyd-Knights accused him of imputing improper motive.
The motion was eventually brought to a vote and soundly defeated with members voting along party lines with 14 nos and one abstention.
No member of the Opposition voted in favor of the motion. Linton did not vote.
The drama began when Linton pointed out that the economy was suffering and nothing was happening and how the matter was being handled by Skerrit.
“In its attempt to deal with these issues, Madam Speaker, we’ve seen the Prime Minister on all of the show,” he said. “We’ve seen the Prime Minister appointing all sorts of ambassadors all over the world, giving the impression that what he is really doing is trying to expand the economic opportunity, trying to grow the pie in Dominica so that more people can benefit. In fact what he ended up with is a whole series of questionable characters, hurting the image of Dominica in the international community, while the Prime Minister hands them out diplomatic passports, he hands them diplomatic privileges of immunity, etc to do whatever they want to do with diplomatic rank and diplomatic status. We see no benefit, no economic benefit ….”
Linton was interrupted here by the Speaker.
“I just need to let you know that when you impute improper motive, it is wrong and it is against the rules of the House,” she said.
Linton interjected, “You are part of the debate now, Madam Speaker?”
This did not go down well with Boyd-Knights.
“Excuse me?” she shot back.
“I just asked if you are part of the debate,” Linton stated.
“I find your question very rude,” the Speaker noted but Linton interjected and said, “Oh yes, I find your intervention very out of order.”
“I am telling you, you will listen to me because that is what I am here for,” the Speaker responded. “Ok. And just because you think that you are having your day, doesn’t mean that ….”
“What day you are talking about?” Linton queried. “Having what day?”
“I am telling you, you have imputed improper motive, you are to cease and desist,” Boyd-Knights responded. “You know very well what you have said and you know very well because you are a wise person, you are an intelligent person and I think you know very well when you are imputing improper motive and I am telling you the rules say you can’t do it. I am the one that has to advise the House and I will tell you what standing order because I just want you to refer to two particular standing orders, which actually say that it is the Speaker who has to inform the House when it goes amiss, Ok?”
Boyd-Knights went on to refer to standing order 86, one and two and standing order 49.
“Please apprise yourself to see that when I intervene, as these two rules tell me to do, it is rude of you to suggest that I am getting into the debate,” she told Linton. “You are being absolutely rude and out of place and you should be made aware of that.”
She suggested that Linton continue his presentation.
“Madam Speaker, I was about to inquire whether that was you or whether that was the demon in you but I….” Linton started. He was interrupted by Boyd-Knights.
“Again, I am going to tell you, you apologize to the chair before you say one other word,” she told Linton.
“Madam Speaker, you sat in the honorable chair and said to the House of Assembly that the demon in you is ordering a member to sit down,” Linton stated, referring to a previous parliamentary sitting. “You said that, not me. What is your beef right now? You said you have a demon in you that causing you to ask somebody else to sit down. I am asking you now whether the demon in you is operating or whether it’s you, that is all I am asking. And I am not going to apologize for it. Those are your words, I am not apologizing for it.”
Eventually, the Speaker said that it appeared Linton had concluded his motion.
“The member has not concluded; the member would like to continue,” Linton responded. “But you keep interrupting the member in a very ad hoc manner. I don’t understand what these interventions are all about. Can I continue Madam Speaker?”
But Boyd-Knights would hear none of it with Linton insisting he is not apologizing for words he said she used in the House.
From there the proceedings descended into chaos until attorney general, Levi Peter, stood on a point of order.
He pointed to standing order 50 subsection 5 and 3.
“If a member shows disregard for the chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and willingfully obstructing the business of the House or otherwise, the Speaker or the chairman shall direct the attention of members to the incident and mentioning by name the member concerned,” he said. “Whenever a member has been so named by the chairman, then …you can read the rest yourselves.”
However, the Speaker insisted that she has the general authority under House standing orders to conduct the business of the House.
“I also pointed him to standing order 49 where the Speaker of the House shall be responsible for the observance of rules of the House,” she stated. “The member then suggested that I have a demon in me because I said it at some other point that it is ok for him to say so. What the member does not realize is that I was responding to something that one on his side said and he now cannot say that I have a demon in me, which is exactly what he said. And I think I am within my rights, both as Speaker and as a member of parliament to point out to him that he is using unparliamentary language towards me and he was rude to suggest that I have a demon in me and I called on him to apologize and I am further stating when he apologizes, he can continue. If he is not willing to continue then can the next member rise to support his motion.”
She continued, “the member must realize that there is a big difference between being in front of a console and being in parliament. There’s a big difference and I don’t think he has ever taken note of that.”
Linton then asked whether he was going to be allowed to conclude or continue his motion.
“As soon as you apologize,” Boyd-Knights said.
“No, well, I am not apologizing,” Linton stated.
“Oh well, will the next person stand to speak?” she responded. “Member you just cannot be rude to the chair like this. You know people are not only hearing, they are seeing. And this is manifestly wrong of you.”
But Linton refused to apologize and the Speaker asked for other members to speak, however, none did.
Member for Portsmouth Ian Douglas then asked for a divisional vote which means that each member would have to show their hand by declaring their individual position to the Clerk.
Since no other member decided to speak on the matter, Boyd-Knights said she had no choice but to go ahead call the motion to the House.
Only elected members were allowed to vote and the final result was 14 against the motion on the government’s side. Members of the opposition did not vote in the matter, however there was one abstention.
Linton continues to be an embarrassment not just to his party but to the whole country.
Mr Linton you are just wasting precious time, you do not have enough people there to support your notion.
Be more realistic, people are just laughing at you. Maybe a new and smarter for the UWP is a better notion.
The Nigerian ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was furnished with a Dominican diplomatic passport, no 0000445 last year and granted citizenship of our country in a letter of 29 May, 2015, approved by mr. Skerrit himself*.
Under the circumstances mr. Linton’s reference to the appointment of questionable people
is rather mild and certainly truthful and applicable. If this can not be said in our House of Parliament, without reprimand by the Speaker our democracy is seriously jeopardized and the concept of free speech stifled, shackled and moribund.
Ms. Madueke was subsequently arrested by the the Corruption Unit of the Gt. Britain’s National Crime Agency on suspicion of bribery and money laundering. Investigations are still ongoing and I certainly do not expect the reputation of our country to be left untarnished in this affair.
* see:”Caribbean News Now of 21 Dec. 2015″, among other media sources.
The Minister is merely under investigation and no charges have been brought against her.
Malgraysa, would you be happy if I accused you of child molestation, then reported you to the police who then investigated my allegations when even before you are pronounced guilty by a court, people like you say you did it?
No, I guess not. Then kindly don’t do this to other people. In our Commonwealth justice system, ALL ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT until pronounced otherwise by a court of law.
Accordingly, the said Minister is innocent and as such is highly deserving of a diplomatic appointment and a Domiinica passport.
Whlist you are so keen to lambast Dr. Skerrit for admitting criminals to the CBI program, kindly remember that the President of the USA is under investigation for providing a false birth certificate; traditionally, All EU Commissioners have had criminal convictions and/ or were investigated for crimes. Are these people worthy of Dominica passports??
DNO, I would appreciate if you would inform us as to what “imputing improper motives” actually means.
Look them up, one word at a time and you will get the meaning of all three.
These Opposition guys are not ready.
What that burning me is when the PM so called ministers are not around him, they have so much negative things to say about him. I recall being in a bar and up to today I am still in disbelief to hear all the negatives a certain minister had to say about the Prime Minister. Today you in Parliament debating and supporting what?
Madam Speaker arrives at the pearly gates and St. peter asks her to give account of herself. and the guardian of the gates to heaven responds: ” You are imputing improper motives madam. Don’t confuse me with my namesake from Portsmouth.This is not the house of assembly in Dominica but heaven. No need for apologies but you first have to spend some time with your demon as retribution”
Be careful that you do not find yourself in that same position or worst.
Since when does stating a fact become imputing motive improper or otherwise? All Linton did was to point to a fact that persons with questionable characters have received diplomatic preveledges. This woman is out of order but Linton should not have made the statement he did and should just have apologised and made a joke of it.
Linton you in the wrong place my brother..
Of course he is bro. He should swap seat with Roosevelt Skerrit as head of government.
Lenox need to chill and have respect and back down from being a man who wants to lead a country he has no leadership qualities!!
I see voo-doo at work there. The speaker is for de leader. Corruption at its best.
“I just need to let you know that when you impute improper motive, it is wrong and it is against the rules of the House,” she said. Madam speaker showed more bias today when Hon. Petter St. Jean was imputing improper motive when he implied that Hon. Hector John was given a rental, paid by the state, after tropical Storm Erika and instead of doing what he was supposed to do, visit the roads in his constituency, he was liming in Roseau. The speaker allowed him to continue and even when Hon. John stood on a point of order she didn’t come to his rescue and had Hon. John to tell him, he would not like to be a victim of his. Madam speaker, I think that was allow the house to disintegrate. If the Prime Minister was the speaker, I kind of have the feeling he would have asked Peter St Jean to withdraw the statement. Don’t go overboard to please the Prime Minister, madam speaker. It is time for you to coweje.
Some of you miss the point. Lennox is the one who must coweje.
It was speculated Linton would be defeated; except for Linton. He has never been respectful to the Speaker of the House.
“You are being absolutely rude and out of place and you should be made aware of that.”
She had reason to inform you accordingly. You were out to be sarcastic and to insult her; really out of place, to show yourself on record, to the UWP ministers and to your supporters. You failed.
Linton is really on the war path. This is not a good sign and of one who may hope to be PM of Dominica.
Linton, you made up your mind against the PM. It is imbedded in your mind that you dislike him. Whatever the PM says and does is displeasing to you and you cause your supporters to be alike.
You depict that you are unhappy in your position and will be for the next years prior to the election. Why punish yourself? My suggestion to you is that you step down as leader of the opposition and MP. It will also be good for the country, for unity and peace.
VERY GOOD JOB honourable Linton..If I had a lot of money,I would have given you some!!!You all are men,I have always asked,why can’t you all stand up to the lady.
Our very emblems of the state need to reflect flight and not a symbol of senseless chatter alone. If the symbols took flight then our nation will soar. If you look at the Parrots their mouths are open meaning that Dominicans in all respects like to talk, argue, complain, make noise and not act for themselves to build their country up.
In all fairness some may see that the Hon. Leader of the opposition to be rude but in my opinion Madame speaker has open herself to this kind of treatment. whether the opposition is right or not it is very glaring that she has a very low tolerance for them she is lucky that our Parliament is tame in comparison to some in certain parts of the world.
Speaking of the freedom party, why don’t
they get together with UWP form one party
to get rid of Skerritt.
but they are already together never this uwp will run Dominica
Honestly Madam Speaker, you are past it. You are outwitted and outpaced. Give it up and make way for someone with more vigour,a sense of humour and a fair hand.
Linton is to Dominica what Trump is to America!!!
Who was the abstention?
The abstention means that the person decided to not participate–in the case of the motion and the voting the person decided to have no part of it.
Devil woman; you made a fool of yourself again!
The person did not ask what is “abstention:” The question is “who was the abstention.”
Poor little yellow devil woman oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahah:
There are many people who are not for either party but for the truth. They listen to both sides and all issues and make up their minds at election. If there is a legitimate case he should bring it forth clearly and in good faith. People want to hear what he is saying and make up their minds, however, being rude and disrespectful to the Speaker is not helping at all. If this is how he intend to have people waste their time then he can go right a head. There are many people who love “may-lay” and that fits well for those people. There are those who want information for decision making and are not interested in “may-lay”. What a wasted opportunity!
The speaker of the house needs to revisit speaker of the house course 101
She is speaking to elected members not her wards, for crying out loud Alix. History will not obsolete you if that attitude of yours is not brought to a halt.
Well I watch the circus caller House of Assembly this morning and after 5 minutes I tuned off- I had better things to do– there was a while lot of bullying going on—-animal farm you might say. I not calling names partner.
Conclusion: To the victor goes the spoils!!!!
Linton need to cool out ole man your blood will turn to water ease up bless up put God so if the Apple look good on the outside my boy God will soon reveal it the forgiveness in our government my boy
Once again it appears Mr. Linton was banking on that kind of drama to hide his failures. Now he can say it failed because the speaker interfered. The UWP needs a redeemer, Linton is dragging the party further down. Sad, really sad!
The biggest losers in all of this non-sense are the people of Dominica…what a disgraceful performance by all involved!
Why do you people from the Speaker of the House down to every member of the parliament keep referring to Roosevelt Skerrit as “Dr. Prime Minister Skerrit.”
That is simply making a mockery of the worlds educational system, it is sad enough that it is an useless honorary degree, bought and paid for, that is a joke on Skerrit, I don’t think anybody is obligated to call Skerrit Dr. of what?
The the people he paid for that worthless title claim the reason the gave him that title is due to the length of time he is prime minister of Dominica. Well I have news for Roosevelt friends in India.
Any politician capable of buying a majority of votes every time will be in power for a long time, when a dictator rules with an iron fists, buy votes and victimizing and intimidating citizens of the country, he/she will hold on to power, all tyrants, and dictators usually hold on to power for long periods!
Francisco dear fellow, we all pay for our degrees in the end. My only complaint is why should our political leader pay for, accept and use a doctorate from a university that has no world ranking whatsoever and sounds like a fake – ‘The ‘Lovely’ University’.
In the 70’s to mid 90’s we use to have to home umpires standing in cricket games and as a result their judgement was biased most times. In the best interest of the game ICC implemented neutral umpires, which has improved the game significantly. The speaker of the house is very, very, very biased towards the opposition and that is the main problem we have in Dominica. With all the ills we have here, if the people’s parliament were neutral we would be in a better position to addrest our concerns and the debate would be more attractive. Right now the house is very dirty and needs a tidy person to clean it up and bring some pride back
The truth is affecting the house speaker…hence the reason why she wants to put a muzzle on the mouth of those who are enlightening the population.
Mr. Linton muzzled himself, he refused to apologize……
You are biased and narrow-minded. You support Linton and that is that.
What enlightenment? I note no enlightenment in Linton’s words. To go on the war path and commence a civil war in Dominica? This is called division, disunity and lack of peace in the land.
You’re biased and narrow minded, you support Skerrit and that is that!!!
You will never know who I support unless I tell you.I do not support Skerrit, Linton ,nor the house speak.I have a brain to think and choose what I think makes sense..In every country the opposition party always try their best to point out what they think is wrong .If the opposition is accusing someone ;in the presence of that person or whether this person can hear about the accusation over the air ;well this person should take the accuser to court or dump the talk ..and move on.What I can see and hear is ;during the house of assembly when ever the opposition is speaking she wants to decide what they should say or shut them up by belittling them…Is she new God is Dominica made by Skerrit?
that’s why mister linton has to be smart in getting what he has to say. you know that the speaker would look for anything to interrupt. mister linton is doing like Trump always falling into the trap. I would want to hear what u have to say but the opposition must be smart in the deliverance. just an idea
you all do not learn.
Jezzzzz
Oh boy, fireworks in the House, great entertainment. The Speaker gets a taste of her on medicine and does not like it. She was dumbfounded, poleaxed, stranded, lost for words and knocked out by her own demon. So pathetic when she fumble for her little rule book and try to lecture Lennox Linton again. It was a technical knockout for Lennox, tactical brilliant not even allowing for Roosevelt Skerrit to tear into Lennox Linton with his usual vitriolic and spiteful response. All Lennox had to to was say “questionable” about Skerrit’s diplomatic appointments and she took the bait, hook line and sinker and went straight for that worn out phrase “imputing improper” motives. Well lady, you lost the plot, and the House big time today and did not do your pal Skerrit any favours. I want to see and hear more, better than any soap opera for true.
Looking at the proceedings I get the impression that Linton was happy for the intervention of the speaker. The intervention of the speaker seemed rather normal, but was blown out of proportion by Linton who adopted a very combative attitude. After refusing to apologize for his utterances how did Linton expect to continue with his presentation? Linton is not a fool but he did play his fellow oppossition members and supporters for fools.
linton you need to cool out
Cool out for what..Now I see the members of the opposition start growing balls…WELL DONE Honourable Linton.
Soon enough these grown men will learn to stop hiding under Alix skirt.
No member of the Opposition voted in favor of the motion
I guess you are speaking in general including Linton’s colleagues, or is that a sign that they are fed up with his childish outbursts?
Proper bull
This is just a conspiracy by the speaker in collaboration with the speaker. The speaker has never allowed the opposition to voice there views. She is always talking nonsense about standing order. You all must answer before God.
“Imputing Improper Motive” – the democratic parliamentary dissolution buzzword. A team of exorcists is needed to cleanse the diabolical aura now stinking up parliament.
Be fair. Commencing with Linton.
A stacked deck, but a good try by Linton.
The funny thing is that we here know that Dr. Skerritt’s administration is well out of order and that thousands of us do not have any confidence in the said administration, but sadly Parliament is not the place where these matters can be resolved now.
Unfortunately, we Dominicans are well and truly shafted as the Skerritt administration can now do whatever it pleases and do you know why??
It is because of the very passport sales that we had agreed to. By this program, the Skerritt administration now has more than 40,000 non-resident Dominicans who are rich backing it up. If you add around 15000 heartless resident voting Dominicans, the regime has a majority of more than 70% of the voting public – a PERMANENT majority.
When Skerritt decides to go, all that will happen is that the regime’s money train will be passed on to his named successor and there will be NOTHING that we can do to stop that. We are doomed!
Cry cry babies asking for mothers milk dribble dribble
saddas stupid Linton, get your lazy back side to Marigot to do something for your people,or is it because they are dark as you are you don’t like marigotans.
I am happy though that I can see signs that humpty dumpty will crash straight on his face…Humpty does not have majority support at home..It’s you and me plus the others to make sure that purchased overseas people dont continue doing what they have been doing.
I thought the Speaker of the House was suppose to remain neutral?
From what I have read this was not the case.
It appears that Mr Linton was defeated before the debate commenced, and was therefore fighting a losing battle
But he would have been defeated anyway…without any contention….just having his way…allowed to say whatever he wishes. He was not defeated because the speaker interjected and being the person that he is, chaos erupted. UWP is defeated for good. Get that straight!!
She was neutral. She was simply performing her job.
Linton is rude and disrespectful. Are you so blinded and deaf that you are unable to comprehend that?
Neutral, bon dou, that position is not even on her gear box and neither is reverse.
Facts I see u change ur name.U just sit in Canada and just open ur mouth.U might be one of those who came down to vote and left misery for us.I hope u stay where u are and never return
Such a joke. You bring a motion before the house and then turn moumou to where you can’t even cast a vote on your own motion and the three others following blindly. Looks like the man even asleep in Parliament. You can have motions and disagreements, but you must discuss those disagreement in accordance to the rules of the house. The people needs to bring a vote of no confidence to the UWP GM. Pawol Radio does not make one a good leader. Time to represent the people man.
#OneLoveDominicans!
Mr Linton was not given the opportunity to finish presenting facts to support the motion which he brought.Therefore the rush to vote was not proper way to have the motion handled.Therefore Mr Linton was right not to vote
I expected the motion of no confidence in the PM to be lost. Well done PM. Linton continues to behave like using unparliamentary language. He’s a very poor excuse for a Parliamentarian let lone Leader of the Opposition. Shame on UWP!! Is that the best they’ve got??? Get in there PM. God bless you ??
The UWP supporters must be disappointed and feel played. Their leader played them as fools once again. He had an opportunity to present a case against the Prime Minister on their behalf but instead threw a tantrum like an unruly child and embarassed all of them
What case could Linton present against the PM?
was the motion completed to be voted on? i didnt hear the speaker say, this motion is now before the house
This once more proves that UWP is on the way down. I had faith in it, but I’m losing it. Skerrit is not the way forward, and Linton is proving ineffective. Any alternatives? What about Freedom, anyone heard from them lately? How about these guys PPOD or whatever they call themselves? If they come out of hiding, they may just get my vote.
The first time ever I’ve seen the formidable Madam Speaker snookered by her own demon and imobilised on her whoopee cushion.
That vote was always going to be in favour of The Govt. but is it matter of record that when Mr. Linton questioned her with her own utterings of ” the demon in me” on a previous occasion, he was ordered to apologise, which he refused and the members of the opposition did not cast their votes in a silent process. That was a very potent gesture.
It is also a matter of record that the Govt. of Dominica has refused to disclose its list diplomatic appointments to the the Parliament and the people of Dominica. Why the secrecy if these people do valuable work for Dominica, for no payment as the Foreign Minster, Hon. Francine Baron claims? I would have thought their praises would be sung to high heaven and they would be presented with an award?
Fault finders will always see it differently.
Interesting
Imputing improper motive…… Hmmmmm. I don’t support skerrit administration but knew that was not going to get anywhere. There are grounds for a no confidence but as I said our Parliamentarians are not independent and basically worthless. Linton needs to pick battles he is sure to win. Chip at the stones instead of using a bulldozer to break the building.
By this I mean use your time in Parliament to pressure the ministries that have a constitutional Right to oversee government function. Example audits, statistics, enforcement of rules across the board especially MOH and environment. These are the stones skerrit used to build his mansion. Find the things the are legally responsible to do and are not doing then hold them in contempt, accountable in breach of the Constitutional laws of the land. The house will fall. May be slow but effective.
Shaka Zulu,your analogies are way out in left field,trying to make a point that Mr Linton should only bring things to Parliament he knows he can win on.This is assanine to talk about going to the moon in t-shirts, just agree instead of grabbing at some mirage,rephrase your point to make more sense.
What kind of leadership is that,i guess soft leadership to only pick battles you are sure you can win.The USA sent man to the moon and it was not certain what the outcome would be,but had confidence that maybe they would be successful.
Well he has been loosing all so far only making Skerrit look stronger. Not soft leadership but smart. Going to battle with a knife while the opponent has a tank is not being brave or tough. If is only a knife you got you got to fight smart.
Further more when the US sent men to the moon they did not send them with t shirts and Bermuda shorts. They were sent prepared for the conditions and had confidence based on information with the best possible chance for success. It was not like they decided let’s go to the moon tomorrow send a rocket and see what happens.