Former House Speaker asks when invitation-only rule was instituted and who will fill remaining seats in the gallery

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REAL NEWS: D. Gisele Isaac, former speaker of the House of Representatives, is asking when the rule that requires invitations to the swearing-in ceremony of the Lower House was instituted.

In the past, Isaac says, persons could show up at the Parliament to support the candidate for whom they voted, and seating was accorded on a first-come first-served basis, she confirms.

Accordingly, she wants to know what has changed, since the gallery can accommodate approximately 300 people.  She recalls that, when she was sworn in as Speaker in 2004, she had about 23 guests at the event – although she was not an elected Member of House.

Isaac says the elected members should not be limited by invitations. Rather, persons who are interested should be allowed to witness the event, especially since some candidates did exceptionally well at the polls.

As an example, she points to the victory of Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, who defeated the Labour Party’s Colin James by over 700 votes.

The former Speaker says the 10-invitations limit could well be a ploy by the Browne Administration to bring in as many of its supporters as possible – giving the illusion that the Labour Party still enjoys the popular vote.

Hence, Isaac is curious to find out who will fill the over 200 gallery seats remaining.  If it is, indeed, Labour Party supporters, she says, this would be very unfair.

Isaac expresses the hope that someone would use their intelligence “and get sensible today” and remove the restriction, which is an insult to the newly elected Members of Parliament, she says.

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17 COMMENTS

  1. Melchesidec
    February 17, 2023 At 8:17 am
    Your comment is awaiting moderation
    UPP NEEDS A LESSON IN POLITICS.

    1 DO NOT TAKE ON EVERYTHING.

    2 CHOSE YOUR BATTLES SMARTLY.

    3 TAKE ON BATTLES THAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE OUT COME.

    4 NEVER GET DISTRACTED AND FOLLOW THEIR NARRATIVE.

    5 STAY FOCUSED.

    6 UPP SHOULD HAVE ORGANIZED A PICKET ABOUT THE AFRICAN SAGA TODAY. THAT WOULD HAVE COUNTERED THE RESTRICTION PLACED ON PARLIAMENT.

    7 UPP PLEASE PURCHASE POLITICS 101 AND APPLY THE OBVIOUS AND FOR CHRIST SAKE STOP CHASING YOUR TALE.

    8 COUNTER ACTION and STOP REACTING.

      • @ Dickhead
        Six votes prevented Mr Lovell from parliament today.
        UPP must listen more and react less.

        In case you still do not understand every vote counts.

        A political party NEEDS the input of people. And if you fail to call out your political choice wherever they go off course, make up your mind to be in opposition for a long time.

  3. So let me ask a question. Rules cannot be changed? Let’s get on with the people’s work. Too much petty and piccanearganiss now. A dat a wah dem say, jus’ comply. As humans, we don’t like when the shoe is on the other foot. I don’t see a big issue here.

  4. Here is the thing similarly to the Court Room Parliament is a public place unless their are security concerns and extraordinary circumstances.

    Interestingly the Court Room also has restrictions since a limited amount of seats are available for the public. Usually less than 10 seats at the magistrate courts not certain of the number in the High Court.

    This issue takes on a different turn should it be looked at holistically.

    The parliamentarians do not consult with the public before they introduce bills and on top of that they are restricting their constituenc from participating in the parliamentary process.

    There is a much bigger issue other than the UPP myopic view keeping UPP’s feet to the fire.

  5. “[G]iving the illusion that the Labour Party still enjoys the popular vote.” This is the load of nonsense that Man Cow would spew and supposedly intelligent people would repeat. The ABLP got the most total votes (20,067). The UPP got 19,267 and so the ABLP won BOTH the popular vote and the greatest number of seats.

    Man Cow, relax!

  6. You are so rude and crass and your behaviour in the Parliament has been DESPICABLE Mrs. Arrindell!!!!

    Everybody knows Pringle did NOT write that letter. Was it you who wrote it and INSTRUCTED him to sign it?

  7. Well highlighted Ms D Gisele Isaacs.

    Our Prime Minister is a nasty, nauseating and narcissistic individual who thinks he OWNS Antigua & Barbuda, and feel he can circumvent anything he damn well wants to do.

    He is wholly behind the implementation of these restrictions to guest and family invitations.

    He’s trying to denigrate and disparage the opposition winners. How vindictive.

    Gaston acts like a thug and a bully, and is only hiding behind his ministerial protocol and legislative measures. Damn coward!

    Now watch what happens on the day of the Swearing-in Ceremony?

    Gaston Browne and his supporters are going to embarrass us – again! – in front of the watching global audience.

    Praying for my beloved Antigua … 🇦🇬

    • Brixtonian, I usually like your comment but recently they are becoming very distasteful and degrading. You are getting very bitter my friend and stooping to levels that are FARRRRRR beneath you.

      Come on pal. Rise back up. You are much better than this. Yes I understand that you are disappointed with the ABLP winning as are many people, but it’s time that we move away from the politics and be happy. Politics is politics and it will sadly always be ugly because that is the political climate in this island.

      Remember, YOU ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!!!

      • I respect that you have a point of view @ Rise up, however as an out and out *Progressive in thoughts and deeds, I firmly believe that Antigua requires better governance, and definitely a better LEADER that will look out for its citizens.

        Here are just a few reasons why it matters to the country:

        1) When the crime rate is rising we need the required response.

        2) There is something definitely wrong with the so-called airline collaboration with Nigeria, again no response after the fanfare.

        3) No open accountability for the use of funds for CIP, NAMCO and a raft of monetary ventures.

        4) The ongoing and never-ending maintenance of our roads and water system.

        5) The total silence on the issues with the vaccine injuries and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) in Antigua –

        6) And not forgetting that the ABLP still want to inject Antiguans with the banned AstraZeneca vaccine (from countries like the UK and Denmark who continued to supply us). Again no response.

        7) The ongoing issues with outstanding wages, pensions and overtime, going back in some cases for months, if not years.

        8) Actioning the tear gassing of women and children without any cause to do so.

        9) Not dispelling the constant rumours about his accumulation of wealth whilst in 2 terms in office.

        10) A decent and good leader would have addressed all the above questions.

        Again, @ Rise up, bitterness or hatred has never come into my thinking as a Progressive.

        *A Progressive: is a forward-looking, foward-thinking, enlightened and broad-minded person that believes in continuing development.

        I hope that this clarification upholds my current stance/views … 👍

    • @Brixtonian … Poor u u start sounding like a little boy whose sweetie got taken away relax boy a win is a win u have 5 more years of crying … Why don’t u use this time and be more productive.. oh sorry I forget… you were waiting senator post. Now go put HLFW pipe in your mouth and relax…. LITTLE BOY CRY CRY 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼

  8. Asot embarass Spencer publicly, because Spencer try to put him in jail remember. Asot dont forget anything what a man !

  9. So Asot didn’t vote for Mr. Spencer? He meant to insult him. Remember he told Asot, I am going to hound you. Revenge Asot revenging.

  10. I am so sick of politics in Antigua and Barbuda. I am sick of ABLP and I am sick of UPP. Come on people it’s time to GROW UP!! Just GROW UP!

  11. @Rise up, “move on from politics and be happy?” Exactly how are Antiguans and Barbudans suppose to do this? Slowly but surely, ALB will renege on most, if not all campaign promises. The country will continue down this pathway to degradation and poverty, as lawlessness and crime continues at disconcerting rates. We are in the middle of all sorts of scandals and controversies that will have far reaching effects for our passport and ability to travel freely.
    I would not advocate worry, but when the rope starts to tighten around these incompetent ALP cult, it will not fare will for us here. Politics is at the forefront of everything, therefore it is really hard to just move on.
    Most of what @Brixtonian stated are really simple facts, not an indication of bitterness. With Gaston Brown at the helm of our country, there is a certain foreboding that is inescapable.

Comments are closed.