Dear Editor,

I am a keen observer of the Parliament on a weekly basis and was particularly disappointed recently by the walkout of Opposition senators, led by Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Peter Bunting.

I was even more appalled at senators Bunting’s and Lambert Brown’s conduct during the sitting, which was the last before Parliament announced a recess until September.

The entire episode was triggered by Senator Brown attempting to make an issue of the fact that the Bill to amend the Road Traffic Act had words of enactment which did not reflect a constitutional amendment which was made prior to the sitting.

Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson moved to explain that the governor general had not yet assented to the amendment to the constitution, hence the words of enactment on the Road Traffic Amendment Bill were not adjusted accordingly.

When President Tavares-Finson pointed out that Brown had also attempted to make an issue of the matter on social media, Brown accused him of lying, then it all descended.

I found Brown’s accusation of lying coarse and unfortunate, because the evidence of the tweet he made remains on social media. Additionally, surely a parliamentarian as seasoned as Brown must know that, that kind of language is not appropriate for the Senate.

What was most disappointing though was Senator Bunting’s conduct. He appeared to lose control of himself in attempting to defend Brown, who clearly was in the wrong. Bunting threw his arms in the air and shouted insults at the top of his voice, including accusing Opposition Senator Charles Sinclair of being a dunce and a fool.

During the heated verbal exchange, Bunting used the word “bloody” as he packed his belongings to leave the parliamentary chamber. How crude and unfortunate. It was good that young Senator Abka Fitz-Henley had the presence of mind to tell Bunting to control himself.

I was in shock at Bunting’s behaviour. I wondered why he appeared to lose control of himself. Bunting would do good to take Senator Fitz-Henley’s advice.

Additionally, why did Bunting lead a walkoutout, which is essentially abandoning the people’s business? A walkout, in my view, is a useless endeavour, especially in the aforementioned circumstances in which Bunting was attempting to defend clearly unbecoming conduct.

I’m strongly of the view that Bunting and Brown should apologise to their colleagues and the people of Jamaica for their uncivilised and disgraceful behaviour, which, no doubt, breached Parliament’s Standing Orders. If they do not, they should face the appropriate sanctions.

Tanya Hylton

tanya.hilton01@yahoo.com

Lambert Brown