Apologise and move on

The continuing attempts by the DAC, to defend the unconscionable action of the DAC representatives who pretended to stage a walk out of the House during the last session, are not only pathetic but they underline the organisation’s contempt for the Tobago House of Assembly which remains the highest decision making authority on the island. The assembly is not just a public relations forum at which members express their views on a particular issue and then “disappear” because they cannot affect “the outcome of the debate”.

Responsible opposition members in any democratic country recognise that they have a responsibility to participate fully in proceedings and provide adequate representation in their respective chambers.

Responsible opposition members in any democratic country also recognise that they must respect the House which is one of the main pillars of the democracy that they would have pledged to protect.

But representatives in the Tobago House of Assembly have a special responsibility not to undermine the Assembly which must spearhead the battle for the protection and enhancement of Tobago’s autonomy.