Dear Editor,
Since the UP Party is going to have control of Parliament, what exactly is their intention? Do they plan on disrupting the current trajectory, or will they use wisdom and come to a temporary agreement to maintain the present course of direction? When one examines the composition of the incoming Members of Parliament, it is difficult to pinpoint anyone of the UP Party, who has the indispensable capability to administer this highly-skilled function.
To illustrate further, since 10-10-10 parliament has never functioned on this level that has demanded the attention of the public and with such plausible comments. This is due to the degree of seriousness and passion that Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams approached this very critical position. It is one thing to sit as the Chair and recite, but it is quite another to take charge, and deliver from a place of knowledge, understanding and experience.
Now that parliament will be infused with a number of new comers, who are lacking the prior knowledge of how government operates, what would happen to them if the proper support is restricted?
Furthermore, what kind of parliament will exist, if these recruits developed the same lackadaisical attitude that the majority have portrayed over the years? Wouldn’t that situation be construed as a gross form of instability? Hence, in order for parliament to carry out its function effectively, this legislative branch requires a President with a substantial measure of credibility to maintain the desired solidity.
Therefore, an efficient President of Parliament is armed with the knowledge of the working of all three branches of government, but particularly, the executive and legislative bodies. Here is where the Chairperson is well acquainted with the laws and articles that govern these domains. He or she decides how and when to juggle these regulations to keep government in check.
Besides, a well-informed President has a mental blueprint of Parliament. He or she is aware of the past and current status of the Senate, and has a vision of where the organization ought to be. Not where Parliament should be in terms of wishes, but each milestone is planned with a specific timeframe and built-in assessment.
If this incoming coalition is serious about acquiring stability in government, then intelligence would dictate that Parliament must maintain the same trajectory that has been developed over the past 11 months. For this reason, it behoves government to consider extending the function of Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams for a period of one year. During this time, she would be charged with not just the task of managing the organization, but, providing training and guidance to Members of Parliament, especially the new ones.
Those of us, who follow politics, can recall a similar situation that took place during the constellation of the Nederland Antilles. In 1984, Roy Markes was the President of Parliament and a member of the MAN Party. Along the way, a conflict arose between him and his own party. This resulted in a change of government.
The new coalition included: PNP of Curaçao, MEP of Aruba, and DP of St. Maarten (along with Saba and Statia). Even though MAN was not a part of the incoming government, Roy Markes was allowed to maintain his position as President until the end of 1985. Then, in January of the following year, MP Jean Francisca was appointed to complete the term.
What this situation has taught us is that the newly-formed coalition rose above party politics and valued the competency of the President of Parliament. What sweet history, if this can be repeated here on St. Maarten, in the benefit of the people that the UP Party has sworn to represent!
Joslyn Morton
