by Linda Straker
- Michael Baptiste served as Opposition Leader from 2000 to 2003
- Dr Mitchell is longest serving parliamentarian
- On 5 September, Dr Mitchell expressed concerns about continuous heckling towards Opposition Members making contributions
A former Leader of the Opposition in Grenada’s Lower House of Parliament believes that the behaviour and conduct of some Members of Parliament who serve as members of the Cabinet of Ministers can bring the House into disgrace or disrepute.
Michael Baptiste, who served as Opposition Leader from 2000 to 2003, said that government members are disrespecting Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell and bringing embarrassment to the House of Parliament.
“The fact that you oppose someone does not give you the right to disrespect them. Calling the Opposition Leader an old man and telling him to shut up while he is on the Parliament floor is nothing but disrespect to the institution of Parliament, and I think it’s time for them to do better. It’s not healthy for the Parliament,” Baptiste said in an interview.
“After all, he is the member serving the longest as a parliamentarian among all of them, and they can learn a thing or two from him. They should not be heckling, they should not be insulting; this is just not the decent thing to do in the honourable House of Parliament,” Baptiste added.
“There is no doubt I have my own difficulties with Dr Mitchell and some of the decisions he has taken over the years, but disrespecting him in the House is reckless. No member should accept that, including the Speaker,” he said.
His comments come following the disclosure from Dr Mitchell that he held a meeting with Speaker of the House Leo Cato to express his concerns and observations about the behaviour of some members of the House.
“We had what I consider was a useful and frank exchange, so I look forward to the future parliamentary proceedings,” Dr Mitchell said when asked to provide an update on the meeting. He was reserved about any promise or assurance from Cato, who was nominated and accepted to the post in August 2022 during the ceremonial opening of the 11th Parliament.
During a news conference on Tuesday, 5 September 2023, Dr Mitchell said that he was worried about some things occurring during Parliament sittings. Among his concerns was the continuous heckling towards Opposition Members while they were on the floor contributing to a bill, motion or resolution.
I agree the house should be respectful to the opposition but not because of their status.
For years the gentleman had no opposition therefore it was not a common occurance for him so it seems like a new thing now.
Stormy, they are rules in the House for parliamentarians or speakers. It is disrespectful to try to prevent someone from making their contribution to any debate. Regardless of how much one disagrees with what is being said. Good behaviour is paramount. Example – if one wants to raise an objection to what is being said, one should stand and the Speaker would ask the individual speaking to give way so the member could raise his/her objection on a point of order.
IT’s damn rude at anytime anywhere to heckle while someone is speaking. Our lower House and Upper House of parliament should practice good behaviour and respect at all times as an example to our young people. After all, they are the future of our nation. We must all remember that.