Matters pertaining to the Senate will be the focus of the fourth Parliamentary Reform Commission’s (PRC) town hall meeting on Thursday, September 7, starting at 7:00 p.m.
It will be held at the Alexandra School, Queen’s Street, St. Peter. The topic for discussion is: The role of the Senate: Is it an outdated talk shop or a useful institution? How can it be made more inclusive of citizens’ voices and broader interests, thereby enlarging our democracy?
During the meeting, the audience will also discuss whether the present composition and structure of the Senate should be maintained, and the underrepresentation of women in both Houses of Parliament. The speakers will be former President of the Senate, Kerryann Ifill; lecturer in Government and Politics, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Dr. Sandra Ochieng’-Springer; and attorney-at-law and former National Democratic Party Senator, Vere Brathwaite.
Deputy President of the Senate and Commissioner, Senator Elizabeth Thompson, said members of the public have been offering interesting suggestions on how to reform Parliament, at the town hall meetings.
“People have suggested, for example, that we should elect the President and the Prime Minister, and that an independent commission should deal with parliamentary salaries and the terms and conditions of Members of Parliament.
“We also want to hear if the Senate should be appointed as it currently is, or should it be an elected body? What are its other roles? Should it represent wider interests, such as the disabled and youth, and should these persons have seats as senators? There are a lot of ideas, suggestions, and some questions about why we do what we do, and we are eager to hear the contributions of citizens,” Senator Thompson stated.
She encouraged persons to come and have their say, or join online at https://youtube.com/@barbadosparliamentchannel.
Meanwhile, the public is reminded that the Parliamentary Reform Commission is accepting written submissions, which must not be more than five to seven pages. They should be delivered by Friday, September 29. The submissions may be emailed to PRC@barbadosparliament.com, or sent to Mr. Pedro Eastmond, Secretary, Parliamentary Reform Commission, Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown.