The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE House of Assembly’s proceedings were marred by several unruly outbursts from the Opposition benches yesterday as Bahamians eagerly awaited Prime Minister Perry Christie’s latest information on the referendum, which has now been delayed to January 28.

Speaker of the House Kendal Major was at one point forced to adjourn the proceedings after Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis defied orders to stop his attempt to speak.

Dr Minnis stood in the House to respond to Prime Minister Perry Christie’s communication on the referendum.

“I wish to make a communication,” Dr Minnis said, “on behalf of the Opposition as this is a very, very pressing matter of national importance that could have catastrophic affects on the Bahamas. The Prime Minister did say that he was a listening Prime Minister and I want him to listen.”

However, Dr Major interrupted Dr Minnis. He said he was not aware that the Opposition would be responding as the request had not been listed on the House’s agenda.

“The Chair,” he said, “has asked that you resume your seat at this moment. There is obviously something that is afoot going on here. The Chair represents the Bahamian people and so I am going to ask that you refrain from these outbursts.”

Government MPs shouted that the Opposition was quite aware of the House of Assembly’s rules. He said they should wait until their allotted time to speak.

“You will have an opportunity to speak.” he said. “The chair orders that you resume your seat.” Speaker Major then called for a brief suspension to speak with Opposition members.

Just before the call for adjournment, an opposition MP who was seated, disrupted the Prime Minister’s communication.

The member, shouted his displeasure about how the Christie administration had up to this point gone about preparing the country for the months to come and what the referendum could mean.

For several minutes, the Opposition member continued, refusing to yield to the Speaker’s calls for order.

Despite Mr Christie’s attempts to continue his Communication, other Ministers at times argued back and forth with the member.

The Speaker then stood to his feet. “There should be order in this chamber. Respect the chair. All members are to maintain their civility. Every member will have an opportunity to speak,” he said.

Mr Christie again tried to move forward with his address. However, the interruptions continued.

“I did not have to proceed in the way that I am doing to comply with the law of the land,” he pointed out. “All of you will be allowed to speak. What the member should reflect on is that the Cabinet in 2010 sat down and discussed what they would do and when they would do it.”

The member and government ministers continued in a heated shouting match in which it was suggested that certain MPs may have been users of illicit drugs and alcohol addicts.

Still standing, the Prime Minister again resumed his communication, but was told by the Speaker to sit while MPs settled down.

Deputy Opposition Leader Loretta Butler Turner continued to grumble loudly from her seat. She eventually left the House to the applause of several government ministers.