March 17, 2015

Dear Sir,

In the latest of a series of robust and fiery meetings of our legislature the Speaker of the House wrongfully ejected one of our duly elected members. Arguably it could be said this is one of the most tumultuous parliaments in recent times. No right-thinking person envies the charge and responsibilities accepted by Mr Randolph Horton; he presides over an extremely adversarial House where posturing and one-upmanhip are the normal rules of engagement.

The Speaker in my opinion has shown great dignity and humility with demonstrated statesmanship in the admission of his error. Those of us who have the appetite and the time to listen to endless debate hear very heated and strident to and fro arguments to win the debate for their side. Too often it is personal and vitriolic in heated verbal conflict from both sides. The Speaker has shown commendable fortitude and patience while trying to maintain order and decorum.

To now seek to censure him with a spirit of decapitation seems mean-spirited and unnecessary given his admission of error. I would hope such a course of action is unsuccessful.

The truth be told there are no good guys and bad guys that make up our legislature but the fact that one side won and the other lost is always at the heart of our adversarial democracy. If the Speaker is to be booted from his position for charges of bias and not knowing the rules with flawless interpretation and application then who is worthy of that august office? Mr Horton can and will do better because of this very painful experience; he is a good and decent public servant.

WAYNE B SCOTT