Members of the public will get an opportunity to share their views about Barbados’ parliamentary system when the Parliamentary Reform Commission hosts a series of town hall meetings.
The first meeting, which will be an educational session, will be held on Thursday, August 17, at the Barbados Workers’ Union Headquarters, Solidarity House, St. Michael, beginning at 7:00 p.m. It will allow members of the public to ask questions.
Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham, will present on: Introduction to the Parliamentary Reform Commission and its Work, while trade unionist and historian, Mr. Robert “Bobby” Morris will discuss High Points in Parliamentary and Constitutional Development.
Political scientist, Dr. George Belle, will examine: Public Perception of the Utility of Parliamentary Reform, and political scientist, Mr. Peter Wickham, will speak on: Composition of Parliament and Rights and Privileges of Prime Ministers and Members of Parliament in a Democratic Republic. The meeting will be moderated by Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Sir Roy Trotman, and there will be a question and answer segment.
The other town hall meetings will be announced soon and persons will be given the opportunity to pose questions and make presentations.
Sir Richard stressed the importance of the meetings and urged members of the public to participate in the sessions. He noted that Barbados has put its colonial past firmly behind it and that “parliamentary reform is crucial for the country at this stage of our development and we want citizens to be a part of this process”.
He stated: “Republicanism is the opportune moment for Barbadians to take stock of our parliamentary system. After almost 400 years of Parliament in our country, we must decide what has worked, what has not, and what needs modifying. Parliament also needs to address growing concerns about ethics, transparency and accountability to the people. We have to find workable ways to regain public confidence in this most important national institution.”
In May this year, the Parliamentary Reform Commission was sworn in and the members received their instruments. The other commissioners are former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Barbados’ former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Elizabeth Thompson; former Government Minister and Senator, Maxine McClean; cardiologist Dr. Richard Ishmael; attorney-at-law Corey Beckles; and financial consultant Dr. William Chandler Jr. The Secretary to the Commission is Clerk of Parliament, Pedro Eastmond.
The aim is to enlarge and fortify democracy and to reflect the desires of citizens, as they seek to take full ownership of national institutions and processes in building a culturally relevant, inclusive, and modern state that reflects Barbados’ republican status. After extensive consultation, the Commission is expected to prepare and submit to the President a report of its findings and recommendations.