Alix Boyd Knights will be remembered in local history as the first speaker of the House of Assembly to be re-elected for the third consecutive time.
Legal Affairs Minister Ian Douglas elected Boyd Knights at Parliament’s first sitting for the year, while Minister for Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs Gloria Shillingford seconded the move.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed his delight at Boyd Knights re-election and extended congratulatory remarks to her.
“I want to say to you that we on the Government side we respect your judgments. You are the presiding officer in this Parliament, and we’ll always seek to irrespective [of] your ruling on matters relating to the conduct or the business of the House of Assembly,” Skerrit stated.
Additionally, he said it is the first time that all constituencies in Dominica are being represented at Parliament. “Not even when the Labour Party won 10 to 1 … that the entire country was represented on the Government side of Parliament. We have done so Madam Speaker deliberately to enhance democracy in the House and to ensure that the entire country is represented by a way of voice in the Parliament,” Skerrit added.
The United Workers’ Party (UWP) stuck to their word by boycotting the parliament in dissatisfaction with the general elections results. The Dominica Labour Party won 18 out of 21 seats.
Prime Minister Skerrit said the DLP would continue to observe the rules of the House, despite their overwhelming majority.
“Notwithstanding the fact that we’ve won 18 out of 21 seats we will continue to conduct the business of the House according to the rules of the House, and we’ll be doing a number of things to enhance even more greater public participation and contribution to national development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Charles Savarin, in congratulating Boyd Knights, told her that Government parliamentarians would continue to give respect to the high office which she holds.
Savarin is hopeful the new members of parliament will have good deportment and deliver service to country.
In Boyd Knights’ brief thank you speech, she pledged to do her utmost in the execution of her duties.
“I will do my best to observe the rule of the House … my first duty is to the Standing Orders of the House,” she stated.
Senators Bentley Royer, Dayton Baptiste and Tammy Jean-Jacques, along with other parliamentarians, were sworn in at this morning’s session.
I am not impressed. ..
MALAWAY please try to educate your self on the laws of the land and especially those relating to the house of assembly . Every country has a parliament and each parliament has a SPEAKER who enforces the laws of the parliament and oversees the proper conduct of members of the parliament.
stupes…. too biased, too divisive…
To Steve, stay tuned my people and optimist
Are you the supporters of the uwp still suffering from the Willy Lynch syndrome or is it the crab in the barrel syndrome that most dominicans suffer from..
If you all dont know what it is ask me i will explain it to you, but seeing you all love the internet look it up….
The position of Speaker suppose to be an impartial one …
The nice thing about living in Dominica is that you can buy your way in the history books or you can kiss your way to the history books.
WONDA HOW SHE FELT NOT HAVIN D OPPOSITION AROUND … HER DAY MUST HAVE BEEN MISERABLE
These are the people who benefit from Labour being in power. Not poor people, contrary to popular belief.
@staytunedmy people.
You sound like a broken record. every contribution you make to any issue of importance is the same ‘one-liner’ of what will happen in a few weeks. These are just veiled threats without substance. Democracy is deeply rooted in Dominican society and will stay this way for the foreseeable future. We have a democratically elected government and constitutionally appointed speaker. their mandate is for the next five years. If the opposition parties don’t start preparing positively for the next election in five years time they will get more stick and hand labour another five years. get real and stop acting like a ‘prat’.
OPTIMIST
NAH IT’S OK….
CONTINUE TO BASH UWP…..
AND DOH STOP AND LOOK INTO WHAT’S HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN THE CAMP.
THAT 24 HOUR CLOCK IS TICKING
@ Staytunned my people
Do tell us how she will make more history in a few weeks…
@ Homey, I believe Steve was referring to the speaker….saying she don’t deserve a third term.
Now with respect to that, THIS SPEAKER WILL BE PART OF ANOTHER PIECE OF HISTORY IN DOMINICA IN A FEW WEEKS.
IS THAT THAT WILL BE HISTORY.
@ Steve, I sense some negativity, give the young lady a chance. Intelligent Young Lady that is.
she dsnt deserve it
congrats tammy