Speaker and deputy speaker matter to be dealt with Feb. 4

The first sitting of Parliament following the December 18 general elections is scheduled for February 4, where the names for the next speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Assembly will be proposed.

The Goverment will recommend Alix Boyd-Knights and Ronald Toulon as speaker and deputy speaker, respectively. The two have held their positions in the previous term. Toulon is the parliamentary representative of the Colihaut, Bioche, Dublanc constituency.

“A name would be put forward to the parliamentarians for consideration and I will say to you the Government side has taken a decision to put forward the name of Alix Boyd-Knights as the next speaker of the House of Assembly … we will also put forward the name of Mr. Ronald Toulon as deputy speaker. So these matters will be dealt with at the next sitting of Parliament,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said at a press briefing on Friday.

Parliamentarians are expected to take their oath of office in the house.

Discussions for the appointment of new senators to his Government will come up on Monday or Tuesday, according to him.

Meanwhile, a question from the media regarding the Opposition’s move to boycott Parliament still received the similar response from Skerrit. He thinks such a decision by the United Workers Party (UWP) is unfortunate.

L-R: Boyd-Knights, Toulon.

“It’s unfortunate that men and women putting themselves forward for the office of parliamentarians and when they get elected they decide not to go. It’s like you asking someone an invitation to come to a party and once you get the invitation you decide that you not going anymore …  That’s a matter for them. The work of the country must continue and that’s what we’ll do,” he stated.

– By Edona Jno-Baptiste, News Coordinator/Reporter

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16 Comments

  1. Zuma
    December 17, 2014

    I am suggesting to the Government, the President, to utilise the laws of parliament which clearly states what the breach of attending the house of Assemblie meetings are about. Any elected Political member boycotting parliament should have his/her rank pulled from under his/her feet. And barred from parliament and politics definitely. They should be placed on a black list

  2. Alix
    December 17, 2014

    To be honest I believe, me personally would be happy if the opposition stay away from parliament. If their intention is to disrupt, misbehave, and disrespect persons who are law abiding . There is no place in parliament for specimen of such nature.Hector John and his cohorts did it last year. I do not want to see a repeat of this. If you all have nothing constructive to bring to the table. We would be much better to see you all backs.. Stay away..

  3. Power to the People
    January 18, 2010

    The best thing for UWP to do is boycott the House. They have been doing that since they lost the first election after Roosie Douglas gave them a beating. I in particular have no need for them, so they can stay in the yard as that is their rightful place. The House is for Honourable men and the UWP are not. What they like is daybah so they can stay out and let Labour continue with the work of progress.

    The people have spoken.

    • January 27, 2015

      I believe you can be honest for once the people did not speak the result of election was taken away from them so stop the nonsense , Now I would open up your mind listen to news out side Dominica look what happened just in Amtigua don’t you believe they had a right even the currant Government walked out, so stop this double standard , so please go and pray for the PM and his health ok.

  4. by the cross
    January 18, 2010

    this speaks clearly to the dominicans who voted the uwp.thats disrespect to the voters.not surprised at all.all they do is boycott and protest.workers accept defeat and act as mature individuals.ron take your defeat gracefully.as a matter of fact stay out of this cause you are no longer the parliamentary representative for the south east.

  5. domininican to the bone
    January 18, 2010

    going to the house or paliment would say to skerrit that the election process was free and fair and we knew that ‘s not so . live spags alone and live uwp alone

  6. yes sir
    January 18, 2010

    to villager
    if spags does not show up to parliament the breaches the constitution in that respect, then you wont have a representative in the name of spags.

  7. waddison
    January 18, 2010

    workers stay out… its the right thing to do… let dem enjoy the house ….

  8. CONCERN
    January 18, 2010

    Well well Toulon get a position in parliament BUT why as the Deputy House Speaker? …he speaks to fast and sometimes mumble his words when faced with crowds at times.

    Tell me how many times did Mr. Toulon speak on the labour campaign pulpit? He spoke at the Dublanc during the lunching of the manifesto and trust me he was nervous but toke his time.

  9. mwenmem
    January 18, 2010

    To democracy

    you are disbelieving.
    You think Alix Knight biasness is a threat to our democracy but the abstinance of the opposition from parliament (WHERE THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FREE, WITHOUT OBJECTION) is not.
    This is hilarious.

  10. Zara Brown
    January 18, 2010

    I am from Mr Toulon’s constituency and that position he was given was a job for the boys. He cannot speak properly. you can hardly understand what he says,do not do that to the house. Get someone else Mr. P.M if you say you care about this nation. The people from colihaut are tired of laughing at that.Give him some thing else, not deputy speaker. FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY MR. PM DO THE RIGHT THING.

  11. Democracy
    January 18, 2010

    Alix Boyd Knight should be barred from that office. The office of speaker is supposed to be impartial, her pronouncements via her piece in the chronicle during the campaign has surely illustrated her obvious bias.
    Now more than ever with such a weak opposition we need a strong and honest speaker of the house. Alix Boyd Knight is not !!

    Our democracy is under threat here … more so now than ever!

  12. villager
    January 18, 2010

    leave spags alone we put him there and we decided that he should not go in the house so what all the fussing about. all you will be disappointed but we will be supporting our parl rep

  13. jean Bef
    January 18, 2010

    The boys by Steve in the Bronx would be ashamed if Hector”Spags” John did not show up in Parliment.REPRESENT MAN REPRESENT

  14. jean Bef
    January 18, 2010

    well…. well Toulon get a post

  15. mwenmem
    January 18, 2010

    It is lamentable the behavior of our ELECTED officials. Abstaining from parliament should be seen for what it truly is, a final kick in the face to ALL Dominicans, by a political party disgraced at the poles. GOOOD RIDDANCEQ!!!
    I hope their supporters take note.

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