PARLIAMENT is the nation’s highest decision-making forum. The role of this branch of government outside of law-making and overseeing the Executive allows for meaningful representation of the people’s business. The powerful nature of this branch and seriousness that comes with its responsibility advise why it is respectfully referred to as the august House and its members, honourable.  Once elected to serve, it is not only an honour, but a privilege to represent the people and ensure their interests are safeguarded, defended, protected and advanced at all times.  It is not unreasonable therefore to expect that those so entrusted to carry out such responsibility do so with seriousness and pride.

To ignore the fact that Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland has felt the need on several occasions during this 11th Parliament to decry the decline in parliamentary decorum and conduct, is to ignore the slippage in society and allow its continuation. Our political system has to work, given that it determines and underscores every facet of our lives.

Speaker Scotland on Friday, 7th July, felt compelled, and with merit, to take time out to once again address the members before the House began deliberating. The slide in conduct has to be deservedly addressed, lest it reaches the stage of no return. On one hand, society derides the new class of educated young criminals — not without justification — but at the same time cannot ignore the declining positive mentorship to which the young are being exposed.

In this media-driven age, where technology allows for real-time observations of members  require them conducting themselves in a manner befitting the office, the oft less than decorous conduct leaves one to wonder if adults no longer care how they are viewed or how their children are likely to see them. Where technology is also used by members to snap pictures of fellow members in inelegant or inattentive repose, to be posted on social media as a mark of shame or ridicule, equally indicts the poster, given that the act represents inattentiveness to the people’s business, where attention ought to be.

Members of the National Assembly are paid by the people to serve them and it is most appropriate that the Speaker felt the need to jerk the House back to this consciousness and to whom they are elected to serve. Tantrum-throwing in the House, under the various guises, is also un-befitting of its members. If teachers are being expected to check such behaviour in the children when adults, who ought to know better, act likewise they should be deserving of rebuke.

It is reasonable to conclude, watching parliamentary performances and outright disrespect for the Speaker, that such is done to prove a point of upstaging him or outright anarchy. Parliamentary immunity does not extend to tantrums and absence of propriety and decorum. Being allowed the freedom to say as one likes during presentations is not unbridled of responsibility to conduct oneself in a befitting manner.

On the outside looking in, people are not only becoming disillusioned with the political system, but are of the opinion that politics is worthless and Guyana doomed for destruction. The last thing any society should want is a disengaged and disinterested citizenry and it may help if members could take stock and start acting in a manner that will bring repute to them and stop the debasement of this sacred institution.

Guyanese have a nation to build and the job is made easier with less disruptive and unbecoming conduct. There is much work to be done in the National Assembly where not only debates can spring, but also realise bi-partisanship. It would be regrettable if members do not see themselves having such a responsibility, but that their attendance is merely there to collect remuneration.

The Speaker is in charge of the House once it is in session and guided by its rules, social norms and decency he or she presides over its business. The disrespect shown by members to him and the values the House represents is unprecedented and he is being applauded for holding his ground in steering what has evidently become a tilting House back to firm ground.  Hopefully, his stern and necessary address to members last Friday will create the needed awakening that would restore respect to this august house and honour to its rightful place.