BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | MAY 8, 2023
Acting President, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson (seated left) and Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw (seated right) pose with the six Parliamentary Reform Commissioners (from left) Senator Elizabeth Thompson; Professor Velma Newton; economist Dr. William Chandler Jr.; former Senator Maxine McClean; attorney-at-law Corey Beckles; and Dr. Richard Ishmael. (C. Pitt/BGIS)
Six Commissioners of the Parliamentary Reform Commission, including a medical doctor, a lawyer, and an economist, took the Oath of Office, at State House, this morning.
They were sworn in by Acting President, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, during a brief ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and Cabinet Secretary, Selma Green.
The Commissioners are: Senator Elizabeth Thompson; former Senator Maxine McClean; Professor Velma Newton; Dr. Richard Ishmael; attorney-at-law Corey Beckles, and economist Dr. William Chandler Jr.
Acting President Gibson, upon swearing in the Commissioners, extended his heartiest congratulations, and noted that they would be playing a critical role in helping to reform the island’s parliamentary system.
“I congratulate you on your appointment…. This is a very important juncture in the life of our nation, and you, as Commissioners, will play a significant role in helping to shape the future of our Parliament. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity and I want to wish you every good wish in your deliberations and your eventual presentations. Congratulations to all,” Dr. Gibson stated.
Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw also expressed thanks to the Commissioners and told the media that the work of the Commissioners had already begun.
She said today’s swearing-in was the culmination of several discussions that the Government had regarding the appointment of persons who would undertake “some very important work …, which is the reform of Parliament”.
“I think we all recognise that in this age where persons want to perhaps understand and appreciate more of what we’re doing in Parliament, that the institutions which would have served us several decades ago can no longer serve this country. As such, we have embarked on being able to swear in these individuals,” Minister Bradshaw stated.
She shared that many significant reforms had taken place in the 1970s, when Barbados made the transition to single-member constituencies, and the time had come for an “overhaul” of the current system.
The work of the Commission for the next six months will entail all aspects of the reform of Parliament, including reviewing procedures and looking at the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Barbadians. It will also involve educating the public about the exercise, as members go through the process.
Minister Bradshaw said: “We look forward to very vigorous debates over the course of the next few months, but [it is] also an exercise where the public can be engaged in a meaningful way, to be able to help us to reform and to make Parliament more relevant to the people of this country.”
The Parliamentary Reform Commission has as its Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham. The Deputy Chairman is Sir Roy Trotman, and the Secretary is Pedro Eastmond.
