NOW IT’S DARIN KING’S TURN

On Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Assembly arose and read an unqualified apology to MHA Gerry Rogers, whom he ousted from the Legislature, last week.  The eviction had been the result of her unwitting association with a Facebook group against the Premier.  The facts of the matter are well known. 

Having apologized, the Speaker has restored the dignity of his Office, one which is essential to the proper functioning of the Legislature, in the face of a ruling that was simply wrong.  He has also confirmed that as a person, he is capable of error and of admitting to the same; a fact that will enhance his reputation as one capable of conducting his duties without partisanship.

Ms. Rogers, in accepting the Speaker’s apology, told reporters that he should also apologize to the people of the Province.  A more seasoned Member would know when a legitimate grievance has been answered.

Still, the matter is not quite over.

REFLECTIONS ON THE GERRY ROGERS AFFAIR

Many people, including some not normally preoccupied with political issues, were forced to take notice of the shoddy treatment of the St. John’s Centre NDP MHA, in the House of Assembly, on Tuesday. As much as I tried, I am unable to remember another political event that arose as suddenly or as forcefully; such was the magnitude and immediacy of the firestorm. Of course, the Gerry Rogers Affair was all backlash. 

Over forty thousand people responded to a VOCM on-line Poll, two-thirds of whom expressed a view that was unfavourable to the Government’s position. Thousands took to Facebook and Twitter, too, using their favourite social media to communicate with the like-minded and to give rebuke to the Premier, the Government and to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.  

How could I not think: if only such a reaction had erupted over Muskrat Falls?

HOUSE SPEAKER AN EMBARRASSMENT TO HIS OFFICE

In a display of partisanship, fundamental unfairness to the Member for St. John’s Centre, Gerry Rogers, and unspeakable bad judgement, House of Assembly Speaker Ross Wiseman engaged in a political hatchet job on Tuesday, with the Government, to embarrass the NDP.  

The House of Assembly is more than a place where laws are made.  It is a debating forum where the people’s issues are supposed to be given light by their elected representatives. The cut and thrust of debate often has a contentious quality.  It is the Speaker’s role to ensure that it is conducted in an atmosphere of decorum, failing which the disrespectful (including any who fail to comply with a ruling by the Speaker) are punished. 

For this reason the Speaker, though an elected partisan, must be one capable of rising above partisanship.  He must possess a good intellect, an ability to listen to the arguments of all parties and be capable of rendering a fair judgement.  In short, he must be one who is not possessed of an ‘apprehension’ of bias.