Sir Howard acts again as Speaker, this time after only fi ve years.
Eight of nine newly elected members emerging from the 2014 Montserrat General Elections took their oaths of allegiance during the first sitting of the new Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, fulfilling the Montserrat Constitution requirement.
The honourable members are Premier Donaldson Romeo, Government Ministers Delmaud Ryan, Claude Hogan and Paul Lewis. Backbenchers – Gregory Willock, David Osborne and Dr Ingrid Buffonge representing the landslide People’s Democratic Movement winners, while Easton Taylor-Farrell was the sole representation for the Opposition side, with Reuben as the leader of the Opposition was not present for the first sitting. Following the sitting, there were queries as to his absence there being no apology brought.
This landslide victory of 7 – 2 at the polls was the second such since 2001 when the PLM John Osborne government won seven against Reuben Meade’s NPP two. In both cases Claude Hogan was part of the winning party, Meade being part of the losing side. This was also the third time that Meade’s leading a party lost at the polls, himself not losing his seat since he was elected in 1991.
Premier maiden speech at opening of Legislative Assembly
(l to r) C. Hogan, D. Ryan, And Premier Romeo
Sir Howard Fergus was elected as the Speaker. It was his second time acting as Speaker until a substantive speaker is appointed. After taking the oath of office administered by the Hon. Ag. Attorney General Sherree Jemmotte-Rodney, he congratulated all members of the house and called on the Premier to govern for all on the island. During his brief opening statement, Sir Howard announced, “The election of the deputy speaker of the house has been differed until the next sitting of the Assembly so that it will be properly constituted.”
Sir Howards during his brief address began by congratulating, “Mr. Premier for wining a decisive mandate to govern this country and the expectation is ofcourse Sir, that you will govern for all Montserratians whatever is their political colouring. The play on the word colour is deliberate. Let me also congratulate all members for their success at the polls, many of whom are making their debut as parliamentarians.
“In so doing I want to recognize former Premier Honourable Rueben Meade in amentia who now leads Her Majesties loyal Opposition an important role in the context of parliamentary democracy as we say in parliament the “Government will have its way but the Opposition must have its say”.
(l to r) D. Osborne, G. Willock and P. Lewis
Although in reality the Government may not always have its way. Second – let me thank you for electing me to this high office, all be it for a definite period and I am aware of this. So let any nay-sayers out there note that I accept the position knowing full well, it is…temporary and transitional. As soon as the substantive speaker is ready to take the chair, just so soon I’ll be willing to yield the position.”
Following a motion for the adjournment all the elected members made statements, through to the sole opposition member and culminating with Premier Romeo, who is regarded as the ‘first elected’ Premier, only because it was the first time he was sworn in following a general election. Now-opposition leader Meade, gained the title when the Constitution was enacted by HMG in 2010.
All or most of the speakers thanked God for the privilege they experienced and the position as elected members, some mentioning the pillars they sought to fulfil. Including the opposition member Farrell. They referred to these as Accountability, which was added to the promise outgoing Premier Meade had made at his address in 2009, when he said: “We expect to serve everyone with integrity, dignity and respect.”
F S L Brade, Ag. AG S. Rodney and Dr. Ingrid Buffonge
In his maiden address as Premier in the Legislative Assembly the Hon Romeo, said his government is humbled by the support from the people following the general elections, “from people from all walks of life across Montserrat and beyond,” outlining some of his government’s plans, talking of the “team Montserrat spirit.”
Thanking God for the honor, and the privilege to have been elected Premier, he continued, “My colleagues and I have accepted the overwhelming mandate of the people of Montserrat. Already we have begun to make a “Fresh Start,” setting of the platform theme of his party’s campaign.
He referred to his party’s manifesto as he said: “As our Manifesto said, we will introduce several plans that aim at building our united Team-Montserrat spirit and empowering our economy. These include:
- Joining with DIFD to fix our roads, repair and build safe houses, and solve the sea-port and airport challenges;
- Jobs that put people back to work and help to kick-start the economy
- Setting up active Village Councils, to improve life in our communities
- Opportunities for our Youth to be engaged in good recreational and business-creating activities;
- Dealing with unreasonable burdens on our private sector, native and Caribbean brothers and sisters living and working among us;
- reviewing and reducing excessive charges for duties and government services;
- Negotiating a better deal for Civil Servants, the elderly and vulnerable;
- New Digital/ICT industries and;
- Developing Geothermal Energy and other renewable and alternative energy opportunities
We are in discussions with several regional and international investors and companies who wish to help start new businesses here. We welcome these and other new possibilities for business as long as they help us provide good jobs, growth that includes us all and development that results in benefits for our whole community.
This is the only way forward hand in hand with British Taxpayers in ensuring that we in Montserrat become self-sufficient economically, while establishing British-level standards for education, health services and support for the vulnerable and needy.
The British government and people want us to be a successful, prosperous self-sustaining community, and one that cares adequately for all of our people. They want us to present and implement a plan of action for development that is sound, progressive, innovative and sustainable, which is exactly what we also wish to do.
Expounding further on some the above, the Premier closed: “All of this can be done once we join hands with HMG in partnership, like never before. We must approach this partnership with the view that it must be ‘Success Proof and Failure Impossible.’
Finally he said: “It is time for Team Montserrat to get to work. And so, Mr Speaker, May God bless each and every one of us, and Montserrat as we roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
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