Unprofessionalism in Parliament

THE EDITOR: I am a student of the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute and I am writing on behalf of my group to express my views on the correct behaviour of public personalities such as the public in parliament, the media in a press conference, the public or witness in a courtroom and the politician in parliament to the Speaker.

In our research we came across rules and regulation, and do’s and dont’s for the behaviour of the above personalities. All the behaviours that are to be practised are not practised by everyone according to how the politicians in parliament are supposed to behave. The politicians are supposed to set a standard regarding their behaviour in parliament. Such things like loud laughing, applauding, sleeping, conversing and reading is “strictly prohibited,” but when they show their views of parliament over the news you can see on numerous occasions politicians contradicting the rules. People watching the news and seeing their behaviour are sometimes disgusted at the men and women who are in such high positions as they are, and behaving so unprofessionally, not to mention the bad examples they are setting for the public. I think people should stand up and say something about the situation because it reflects badly on our country and our people.

SUE ANN SIMON, CINDY LEE JAGDEO, MEIGHN SAMUEL, RODNEY GALINDO, MARSHA POPE
Port-of-Spain