3rd January 2007

His Excellency Sir Frederick N. Ballantyne, G.C.M.G., MD
The Governor General of St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Government House
Kingstown
St. Vincent

Your Excellency,

The SVG Green Party is extremely concerned about the negative image of the proceedings in our blessed House of Assembly. Recently, two senators from the New Democratic Party (NDP) were ordered by the Speaker of the House, on separate occasions, to leave the House of Assembly.

We believe that there is a better approach in dealing with the conduct of the parliamentarians than using the sledgehammer approach as used by the Speaker of the House. Speaking from my personal experience of over 31 years of military service and a holder of a Masters in Business Administration, I see significant weakness in the way the House of Assembly Standing Orders are managed.

Time and time again, we are hearing the NDP saying that they are not being treated fairly in the proceedings of the House. This problem is on-going and yet we do not get any public statement from the Speaker concerning this serious matter.

The poor perception of parliament proceedings, in my opinion, will have a negative effect on criminals, school children and possible foreign investors, as they will see disrespectfulness in the House, and this is such an important institution in our society. I write requesting that a new Speaker of the House be appointed as from January 2007, with the nomination coming from an organisation independent of the ULP, such as the SVG Christian Council. This will help facilitate better workings of Parliament, as presently, we are concerned that the best interest of the nation is not being served.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Ivan O’Neal BSc(Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader and Co-founder of SVG Green Party

cc:           Hon. Prime Minister
                Hon. Leader of the NDP
                Hon. Speaker of the House
                President of SVG Christian Council
                President of SVG Chamber of Commerce
                Media