MP Robinson angered by House snub

MP Robinson angered by House snub
Bains and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson.

Speaker of the House says there was a “breakdown in communication”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bains and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson said yesterday he will not allow his constituents to be “disrespected”, as he took grave exception to being prevented from contributing to debate on amendments to the Bail and Jury Acts.

The amendments were debated and passed in Parliament on Wednesday.

In a Facebook live broadcast, Robinson said he was “very disappointed” with what happened in Parliament and called the matter an attack of democracy.

He said he was scheduled to speak at 3.30pm.

But he said just before 2pm the House moved to read the bills for the third time and proceeded to pass them.

“No notice was given to myself as the member of Parliament to indicate that the House was going to move to the third reading and passing, even before I had an opportunity to deliver my presentation on behalf of the people of Bains and Grants Town, who elected me to serve for them,” the MP said.

“It is very unfortunate. I am highly disappointed and I see it as an attack on democracy.

“The actions can be likened to the stifling of the voice of the Bahamian people.”

In the over 30-minute video, Robinson presented his intended contribution to the bills and expressed support for them.

He continued: “I make no excuse. I will fight for the people of Bains and Grants Town, no matter the cost,” he said.

“I am not here as merely another number or another vote.

“I am a vote for the people and the consciousness of the people of Bains and Grants Town.

“And because they sent me there to speak of their behalf, it is their voice that I represent.

“So, if you disrespect Travis Robinson, I don’t care, but what you will not do is disrespect the people of Bains and Grants Town.

“You could do whatever it is you please, but when it comes to the voice of the people of Bains and Grants Town, they deserve to be heard, and that did not happen today (Wednesday).”

Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie, who was contacted for comment, said there was a clear “breakdown in communication.

He said he understood there were four of five members scheduled to speak during the afternoon session.

Moultrie said Parliament did not suspend for lunch on Wednesday and proceeded with debate beyond 1pm, wrapping up debate around 3.15pm.

The speaker said: “Now apparently, my understanding is that no one notified Mr Robinson of the change in terms of the Parliament not breaking for the lunch hour and so, he was preparing to return at 3pm after the lunch hour to present and he had his people in Bain Town prepared and expecting to hear his representation after we returned from lunch.”

He continued: “…Usually when we don’t break for lunch it is a case where there is only one or two speakers left to speak, but my understanding is that there were about four or five speakers scheduled to speak after lunch.”

He added: “It was a breakdown in communication for sure. There is no doubt in my mind about that, but the speaker is not involved in that process.”

When contacted, Robinson said his extreme disappointment was not laid at the feet of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, but to the breakdown in the parliamentary process.

He said the prime minister did not “make such a decision”.

“I still fully, unequivocally support the prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis,” he said. “However, my support is not [without] limitations or obstructions.”

“I am liberated to a point that I can speak to those things that are right, those things that are wrong or those things that need to be addressed.

“But that does not question my support for the Free National Movement, and certainly does not question my support for Hubert Alexander Minnis.”

The MP said members contributing in the afternoon session should have been contacted and advised of the House’s intention, and still given the opportunity to contribute to debate at an earlier time.

According to Robinson, that did not happen.

He said in instances when Parliament experiences a technical issue, it is often suspended for a period to resolve the challenge.

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.

2 comments

Travis don’t make me laugh your another puppy. Go sit down if Minis calls it out your the yes sir I will do it guy.

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