Dear Editor,
It is the job of the Legislative Branch to conduct the checks and balances in dealing with the Executive Branch. In doing so, the coalition partners can be critical, but not at all times. After all, the Executive Branch is executing the governing program, backed by the coalition government.
On the other hand, one of the most important jobs of the Opposition in the Legislative Branch is to constantly question the Government in seeking clarity. This of course, is only possible, assuming that the Government remains answerable to the public at all times. The latter is of paramount importance for democracy to reach its full potential. A good opposition can point out serious issues, and debate them to get those resolved in the interest of the people.
According to scholars on the matters of government, the other major role of the opposition is to propose alternatives to what the government is doing, so the people get the benefit of political debate on different directions and alternative viewpoints.
The matter at hand in Statia, is that the Opposition attempted multiple times unsuccessfully to secure a debate on the precarious financial household of Statia, and the functioning of the Commissioner of Finance. In principle, this agenda point should not have any merit for the coalition government to go to the extent to filler bust this agenda point. Nine times boycotting the one and the same agenda point indicates that this ruling coalition is trampling on the trust bestowed upon them by the people.
There is a Financial Action Plan in place to be executed, and questions regarding the execution thereof seem to be the just thing to do. Democracy at the max. To just vote the agenda point off the agenda, not providing a quorum, or instruct the commissioners not to show up for the meeting, borders on child's play.
One can understand that it is an art to execute the power of the majority. One thing is sure and that is, if this solemn authority is used to stifle the Opposition, the ruling coalition failed miserably in that regard. The attitude of “might is right” is surely not in the interest of the coalition government. This only creates an unnecessary distrust and helps foment the growing perception among the public that the government has something to hide.
To those looking in from the outside, for example, The Hague, this childish behaviour is unbecoming for a Legislative Branch. There is also an indication of immaturity on the side of the coalition, and this surely will have ramifications. After all, no self-respecting entity will entrust a child with millions of development aid. This is a disgrace for the Island Council, a slap in the face of the people of Statia.
Being faced with these immature people’s representatives and knowing that these are the same persons knocking on the gates of The Hague seeking more autonomy, is a scary thought. If the premise for this autonomy is a proper financial household and a functioning administration, then these are surely not the persons qualified to deal with the future of Statia.
A government that shuns transparency and accountability, and gives "might is right" new meaning, is not a people's government, but one serving only its minions and own selfish agendas.
The UPC sincerely hopes that in the coming days the coalition partners will muster the ability to develop that little sense of responsibility, and also realize that they are doing themselves a disservice in the eyes of the community of Statia, and making our island the laughing stock of the Caribbean.
Elvin Henriquez
Deputy Leader
United People's Coalition
