Vernon Daley

Michael Peart has done a tolerable job as Speaker of the House of Representatives over these nearly five years.

During that time, we have had the periodic walkout of Opposition members, and there have been reports of 'debates' descending to the point of near chaos. But these are things which are to be expected, from time to time, in a robust parliamentary democracy.

Sure, there are concerns about how he handled Opposition questions on the whole Trafigura business, and his approach to the Karl Samuda censure motion. Despite that, the Speaker has managed to stave off the image of a rabid partisan. He seems to have made a genuine effort to keep the scales even, or as close to that as he could possibly accomplish within the context of our parliamentary traditions.

Even though a Speaker is drawn from the governing party and naturally would want to give protection to its members in the House, he also bears the duty to preside over the proceedings with fairness, which might demand making rulings in favour of the Opposition.

A tough job

It has to be a tough job - being pulled in different directions by two opposite and powerful forces. The President of the Senate has nowhere near the troubles the Speaker has to contend with, given the rowdy and cantankerous nature of the business in the House.

No wonder some Speakers find themselves unable to resist the urge to carry the party line, thereby undermining the integrity of the chair they occupy.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a great deal of excitement among Opposition parties in Dominica and Grenada about the conduct of their respective Speakers.

In Grenada, the relationship between the Opposition and the House Speaker Lawrence Joseph has deteriorated so badly that Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas moved a no-confidence motion against him last month.

As expected, the motion was defeated by the Government with its majority. But, Thomas apparently felt that he had achieved his purpose by highlighting the 'biased' rulings of the Speaker.

Thomas moved the motion of no-confidence after the Speaker on two occasions refused to accommodate comments and questions from members of the Opposition. Both times the Opposition members staged a walkout.

Trouble all around

There is also trouble over in Dominica where members of the main opposition United Workers Party announced on the weekend that they would stage a march on Parliament this week to focus attention on the rulings of the Speaker.

Different countries. Same story. The Opposition feels the Speaker is preventing them from asking tough questions about alleged corruption in the Roosevelt Skerrit administration.

Now, it's always possible for an Opposition party to be playing to the gallery. But, usually when things get that bad, it's because the Speaker has failed to demonstrate some measure of fairness.

The onus has to be on the Speaker to win the confidence of all the members of the House. He must be firm but fair. Sometimes his decisions might be unpopular, but he's likely to be more secure in his position if members, especially those on the Opposition benches, feel that his rulings are just.

It's really important to find the right man or woman for that job. In the broad sweep of things, it would have to be said that Mr. Peart hasn't been a bad fit.