Dear Editor,

I read Davian Hemmings’ letter ‘An Offensive Pattern’ in the Jamaica Observer on May 26, which I thought initially was a rebuke on the manner in which the House Speaker has been handling the affairs in Parliament since she assumed office. Instead, the writer chastised Member of Parliament (MP) Nekeisha Burchell who made statements in an interview which some found controversial.

I listened to the interview in which Burchell spoke about the Speaker’s consistent pattern of silencing Opposition members. The statement, in my opinion, was taken out of context.

Burchell said that the manner of control displayed by the Speaker is the type “you can get away with in a marriage if you want to control your husband”. She also cited, as an example of control, a school mistress in a basic school. Both examples are reasonable enough, Burchell did not suggest that the Speaker was controlling her husband.

To be fair, when a husband and wife team are elected public officials who find themselves in the unusual scenario as leaders of the House of Representatives, they will be under even more scrutiny when it comes to obvious biases, conflicts of interest, and apparent cover-ups. People will talk openly, in public, as well as quietly, behind their backs. This is why many organisations have rules which restrict the hiring of close relatives or spouses, especially in leadership, for it could result in potential conflict of interest and controversies.

The Speaker, in many instances, has, in my opinion, been unprofessional in mannerism and actions, often cutting off microphones and shouting at members as if she is talking down to them. Representatives are grown adults, most are experienced members of the House.

Indeed, members are governed by Standing Orders and ethics, and even with breaches, the Speaker can be more professional and tactful. It is about tone, words, attitude, and expression as well as actions and decisions. In one clip, the Speaker shouted at MP Angela Brown Burke, “Outside! Outside!” It was as if a stray animal had found its way in the House.

You cannot treat members of the House of Representatives as if they are guests in your backyard. It is that simple.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.coma