housespeaker

The reappointment of Patricia Deveaux as Speaker of the House is the continuation of the same atmosphere, tone and governing party’s strategy inside Parliament itself.

For many Bahamians, Deveaux emerge from the last parliamentary term as the most polarizing figures: combative, theatrical, deeply partisan and, at times, startlingly personal in her exchanges with Opposition members.

The Speaker’s chair, in the Westminster-style system, is traditionally meant to show restraint and disciplined authority. The position works best when the Speaker shows she is above political tribalism, protecting both the government’s legislative agenda and the Opposition’s right to challenge it.

Deveaux often seemed uninterested in that balance.

Inside the House of Assembly, a pattern developed last term. An Opposition MP would rise to make a point. Before the thought could fully form, a government member would spring upward on a “point of order.” Deveaux would recognize it immediately, shutting down the momentum and the debate.

The Opposition member, frequently visibly frustrated, would sit before completing the argument.

Over time, Parliament failed to feel like a place of deliberation.

Her supporters may argue that she is merely enforcing parliamentary rules against an unruly Opposition. But critics see a Speaker wielding Parliamentary procedure as weaponry.

And this term, the imbalance inside Parliament could become even more dramatic.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party now controls 33 seats in the House of Assembly, while the Opposition Free National Movement holds only eight.

That dominance gives the government overwhelming control over proceedings, voting and the overall atmosphere inside the chamber. It means government MPs can repeatedly rise to defend the government, interrupt Opposition arguments, dominate debate time and reinforce the Speaker during tense exchanges.

Eight FNM MPs now face Parliament packed with government voices and a Speaker many already view as hostile.

And it was the tone that disturbed many observers during the last term.

Her exchange with Adrian White became one of the defining moments of the previous Parliament because the interaction felt so intensely personal. “Don’t play with me,” she warned him. Later referring to him dismissively as “baby,” she lectured the Opposition member less like a parliamentary equal and more like an exasperated school principal disciplining children.

White’s response — asking to be addressed respectfully as an adult and father, only escalated the spectacle.

For many watching, the discomfort was palpable.

Parliament, ideally, should show seriousness, intellectual discipline and democratic maturity.

Deveaux returns exactly as the Davis administration enters perhaps the most politically delicate opening of any recent Bahamian government. Questions surrounding “Politician-1,” DEA affidavits and allegations tied to Parliament itself threaten to dominate the national conversation, which is why her reappointment feels even more politically strategic.

The government understands what is coming— an aggressive Opposition, sharper scrutiny and emotionally charged debates over corruption, transparency and credibility.

Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement Shanendon Cartwright threw the mace out of the window of the House of Assembly on Wednesday when House Speaker Patricia Deveaux tried again to silence Party Leader Michael Pintard from speaking after Prime Minister Philip Davis gave an update on the trafficking indictment of senior police officers and announced the resignation of Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander.

When Pintard asked if he would be given an opportunity to address the serious matter this week, Deveaux said she could not say for certain, adding that she would address the possibility of him speaking at a later time, after a speech by the Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe.

Deveaux contended she was going according to the Order of Business.

Pintard, while on his feet was joined by Cartwright who both asked her for an assurance that Pintard would be allowed to make a presentation in the House.

“Let the Bahamian people speak Madam Speaker” Cartwright shouted.

“Will I have an opportunity to speak? Pintard asked repeatedly.

Deveaux then said, “We will get to that when I get to that order of business.”

Without a surety of speaking, Cartwright rushed to the Speaker’s mace which is regarded as her authority, removed it, and threw it out of the window.

This comes on the heel of last week’s session when Deveaux quickly suspended the House and prevented Pintard from speaking on the indictment of senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force expected to stand trial for cocaine transportation in a New York trial.

Patricia Deveaux is quickly becoming parliament’s most controversial House Speaker, outpacing the past Speaker Halson Moultrie, whom many opined lacked decorum when he served in the position.

Deveaux’s recent tirade has thrust her back into the spotlight during the 2022-2023 Budget Debate when she attacked NEMA’s Captain Stephen Russell from her seat, saying that since he was absent from the Bamboo Town constituency in the aftermath of tornadic activity, he must have been “home, busy watching the game (NBA) last night.”

She then suggested that Russell find a day job. “These people, if they want desk job from 9-5, give them their desk job…You tell Mr Russell for me, if he is listening, you need a 9 to 5 job,” she said.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard later cautioned that comments against Russell should be carefully considered since he was a private citizen and was not in the House to give a response.

Her anger accompanied by neck twirls, finger-pointing, chest-thumping, and a condescending tone, was on full display when she later addressed St Anne’s MP Adrian White after he suggested she read the House’s rule book.

“Don’t do that to me. Don’t insult the intelligence of this Chair…Let me remind you, that I am an adult, one that is older than you. And I have a 25-year-old daughter…So you don’t tell me about being an adult and having children. I fully know how to be that. I know my job, you learn yours,” before jerking her neck and twirling in her seat.

Deveaux, like Moultrie, lacks decorum, and though it is her duty to take charge of debates and keep order in the House, her actions are overbearing and without demureness, the dignity of the Chair which she represents.

Serving as the 55th Speaker of the House of Assembly, she is the second woman to sit as Speaker, following Italia Johnson who served from 1997 to 2002. Johnson was remembered for her gracious and stately approach to the high office.

Deveaux is a bully, using the Speaker’s chair to display unwanted and aggressive behavior and seeking to denigrate the Opposition while throwing her weight around, taking advantage of the power imbalance in the House.

And, the manner in which Deveaux delivers her commentary is troubling. She is ill-tempered, harsh in her language, and possesses a bad attitude.

In 2020 while serving as the PLP’s National Vice-Chair and as a senior executive secretary in the Ministry of National Security, she made headlines after making an ethnic slur at a PLP rally when she said her party has only “nice-looking people” and not a “bunch of darkies all over the place, heating up the place”. She later apologized.

Deveaux simply does not have the temperament required to be a good Speaker.

Bamboo Town MP Patricia Deveaux was appointed the new Speaker of the House of Assembly and presided over her first session on Wednesday, during the Opening of Parliament.

In her opening address, Deveaux said she will ensure timeliness, order and fairness in the House.

She follows Former Speaker Halson Moultrie, who has been described as the most controversial speaker in Bahamian history.

Here’s what to know about Deveaux

1. She is the 55th Speaker of the House Assembly.
2. Deveaux is the second woman House Speaker in Bahamian history, after Italia Johnson.
3. She served as the PLP’s National Vice-Chair and as a senior executive secretary in the Ministry of National Security.
4. She made headlines in 2020 after making an ethnic slur at a PLP rally when she said her party has only “nice-looking people” and not a “bunch of darkies all over the place, heating up the place”. Deveaux later apologized.
5. She will be assisted in her role by Deputy Speaker Sylvanus Petty, the North Eleuthera MP.

After House Speaker Halson Moultrie planned another session of ‘open parliament’ ahead of the General Election, no one showed up in Parliament Square.

Moultrie planned a second ‘open parliament’ for Wednesday, after advertising on social media, despite the dissolution of the House of Assembly.

Controversial Moultrie told Eye Witness News yesterday that the intended event is “the opportunity for the common man to come forward, to demand accountability, transparency, good governance, minimize corruption and access information. That is what open Parliament is all about,” he said.

“This open Parliament would be all about allowing the people to put on the record publicly their displeasure with the way this election is being conducted.”

However, no one showed up and people were seen packing up the empty chairs. Moultrie and Independent Centerville MP Reece Chipman were seen waiting for the expected crowd, but to no avail.

Moultrie’s first ‘open parliament’ was held on the same day the House was dissolved and was attended by various third-party members.

It is not known why Moultrie was not able to attract the crowd he did a few weeks ago.

The big picture

Moultrie and Chipman have broken off from the governing party and both are running as independent candidates in the upcoming General Elections.

Since their departure from the Free National Movement, Moultrie and Chipman have become outspoken and protested the policies of the government.

It remains to be seen if voters will stick with them when they cast their ballots.

House Speaker Halson Moultrie’s ‘open parliament’ concept quickly turned into a rally as third-party candidates and independent members of parliament joined forces to disparage the government and its policies.

Two weeks ago, Moultrie announced his initiative for the public to express its grievances and said it was a move to show the independence of the House. Without support from the government, Moultrie attempted to launch ‘open parliament’ before it was revealed that the House would be prorogued, which came as a surprise to many.

Moultrie, Independent MP for Centerville Reece Chipman, Leader of the Coalition of Independents Lincoln Bain, former FNM Bamboo Town parliamentarian and leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Cassius Stuart and Democratic National Alliance Leader Arinthia Komolafe joined forces under a tent erected in Parliament Square, to preach their displeasure with the government.

Supporters dressed in their respective party colors crowded the tent, ignoring the social distancing protocol.

“Change ain’t coming. Change is here” the crowd shouted as Bain made his way to the podium.

“…I did not come here to deliver an eloquent speech, I came here to start a fight. Ladies and gentlemen, the only way to get our country in order is to start a fight.

“…It seems like when we talk, they don’t listen, so it’s time for us to start a fight,” Bain said.

Stuart then chanted the COI’s slogan and said the country needs a revolution, as he decried the country’s economic system. He asked, “How do we move forward? How do we build our nation?

“Stop depending on the foreign investors,” he said.

Komolafe said crime and the healthcare system continue to burden the country.

Pointing at the House of Assembly, she said, “That House right there is not working for us. It is now closed. Your concerns are not being heard and your concerns are not being addressed,” to shouts of agreement from her supporters.

Update: The Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle returned to the House of Assembly at two o’clock today, to read a second proclamation from Governor-General C.A Smith. Rolle announced that Parliament will resume on September 22.

The House of Assembly was prorogued this morning, one week after parliamentarians returned.

The Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle read the proclamation from the Governor-General.

“The Proclamation whereas by virtue of Article 66 (1) of the constitution, the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister may at any time by proclamation, prorogue Parliament. Cornelius A Smith, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, hereby prorogue Parliament as from the 18th day of August 2021.”

What it means

This means that the current session or a sitting of the House is suspended by an order of the prime minister.

The House was not dissolved, which would mean the House sessions have concluded and House business has come to an end.

The life of parliament still continues.

What the Speaker says

Controversial House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he was not surprised at the move as he had heard rumors of its possibility. But he called the move “unusual” since the Parliament reconvened last week to extend the state of emergency.

Moultrie, who resigned from the Free National Movement, said he had intentions to hold an ‘open parliament’ this morning where he said the public would express its grievances. The ‘open parliament’ was the Speaker’s initiative and was not supported by the government.

Third parties gathered in Parliament Square in preparation for the ‘open parliament’ but were left scrambling and confused after the proclamation of proroguing the House was read.

Moultrie said proroguing the House shows that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis is abusing his powers and the Cabinet is demonstrating it is ‘not answerable to the people.’

Moultrie said he will push harder for the separation of powers and for an independent parliament.

House Speaker Halson Moultrie incorporated a poem of vengeance in his most recent speeches in the House of Assembly on Monday.

After the presentation by Ft Charlotte MP Mark Humes during the Budget Debate, in which Humes conceded that he will continue living although he was not renominated by the Free National Movement, Moultrie commended Humes saying, “You seem so happy in your presentation” adding that he admired “the joy” which Humes showed.

Surprised that Humes expressed no ill-will toward the party despite not being ratified, Moultrie then quoted a recent poem he had written, that expresses his retaliation.

Here’s the poem Moultrie wrote and quoted in the HOA

Every man’s origin is the womb
And every man’s destiny in the tomb
Life is the interval that exists between the womb and the tomb
So it is between the womb and the tomb, let no man presume that D Halson Moultrie was sent here to be consumed
For such an assumption is a rebuttable presumption
And any perception of a threat could lead to the acceleration of your own death
And while I don’t advocate the commissioning of a kind, I will get on my knees and say to the mind, and God help you if I have to pray over you, Psalm one, zero, nine.

The big picture

Moultrie is known for launching tirades in the House, often expressing his displeasure for the “disrespect” he believes the executive branch of government shows the parliament.

In February, Moultrie resigned from the Free National Movement, citing his personal convictions, and later stated that he will run as an independent candidate for the Nassau Village constituency in the upcoming general election.

Photo credit: The Nassau Guardian

In a surprising move in the House of Assembly today, House Speaker Halson Moultrie suspended the House session, setting a new date for parliamentarians to meet after the clerk tested positive for COVID-19.

But before adjourning the House, he openly rebuked Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and Government Business Leader Renward Wells for permitting the House to meet despite the positive case among staff and the parliament not being sanitized before meeting.

Moultrie said he reached out to both Minnis and Wells to determine if House should still meet today, and determine the measures staff should take, only to receive a message from Minnis saying, “noted.”

Another staffer, who Moultrie said should have been in quarantine, Asharan Lightbourne was “called upon to be here this morning, in breach of the request or the instruction of the speaker that [she] should be in quarantine,” he said.

The big picture

Since the advent of COVID-19, Moultrie has been calling on the government to pass a resolution to meet in hybrid form or virtually to prevent chances of more parliamentarians from contracting the virus. But those calls were not adhered to.

Why it matters

A staff member tested positive for the virus. Though not identified, it is believed to be the chief clerk as he was noticeably absent today. The Speaker described the staffer as the “closest person to him in the House.”

The staffer came to work on Monday and Tuesday showing symptoms of the virus, but returned home early after not feeling well. However, came back to work last week Wednesday when parliamentarians met.

His positive diagnosis was revealed yesterday.

What Moultrie is saying

Moultrie said parliament is in breach of its own order. “This is my final straw when it comes to the disrespect of the speaker. According to the rules, when the behaviour of a member is creating disorder, the speaker is authorized by rule 88, subsection 9 to adjourn the parliament until the circumstance is fixed,” he said.

“I don’t pick fights or wars, but if you want war, you will get a war. If you don’t want a war, don’t start one.”

Referencing Minnis who earlier stated that he read a book on wars, Moultrie continued, “So don’t come in this parliament talking about reading books of war. More than one person in this parliament read books of war.”

State of play

Because of the adjournment by Moultrie, the next session of the House will be May 3 at 10 am.