DIFFERENT SPEAKER . . . SAME UNRULY PARLIAMENT

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Tuesday this week Mr. Andy Daniel was sworn in as the eighth Speaker of the Saint Lucia House of Assembly. Before he replaced Speaker Leonne Theodore-John, Mr. Daniel had been president of the Senate. Mrs. Theodore-John resigned two weeks ago to take up the position of Minister Counsellor to the Saint Lucia High Commission in the UK. Ms Jeanine Michele Giraudy-Mcintyre, who replaced Daniel, is the daughter of the late Henry Giraudy, for years one of the island’s more prominent lawyers, and lifetime chairman of the United Workers Party.

Mr. Daniel worked at the Saint Lucia Development Bank before proceeding to study law at Holborn College, London. He returned to Saint Lucia in 1999 where he was called to the bar. He immediately commenced private practice until he was appointed as a magistrate, which he undertook for eight years. Mr. Daniel holds a Masters Degree in Law (LLM, International Commercial Law from the University of Northumbria, United Kingdom). He was one of the founders of Youth for the Development of his community (Youf-Doc) and served on the Executive of the National Youth Council, as well as being President of the Students’ Branch of the National Youth Council. He served as leader of the opposition in the Senate and as a candidate for Dennery North Constituency.

If the new Speaker expected a honeymoon period, free from the House’s customary discord, he was disappointed. On day two of the debate, the Anse La Raye/Canaries MP rose to respond to questions raised by Castries South MP Ernest Hilare, with regard to Dominic Fedee’s earlier presentation. He had barely uttered a word when he was interrupted by the Leader of the Opposition and MP for Castries East, Mr. Philip J. Pierre, who objected to him (Fedee) being allowed to respond to comments made the previous day. Pierre was, in turn, interrupted by a heckling Southeast Castries MP, Mr. Guy Joseph. Pierre’s reaction: “This lack of manners is getting out of . . . this arrogance . . . arrogance!” Returning to the reason why he’d stood in the first place, Pierre was further heckled. This time, contrary to House rules, he openly addressed the heckler: “ I am not speaking to you . . . I am not speaking to you. And I will not speak to you!”

The new Speaker intervened: “Members, I am not going down a path that this House may have gone before. I expect that we shall do this as honourable men and women representing the people. I am hopeful that we all understand where I am trying to take this Parliament from now on.” Daniel was visibly exasperated. He reminded MPs that they should always address him and not fellow MPs directly.

It remains to be seen how long it will be before the new Speaker bows to “convention”. No doubt the nation will be watching, if only for the entertainment!