Everyone agrees that an active opposition as is evident deserves and is entitled to an office as is customary in every other country.
Premier Reuben Meade, who is about to move into new office quarters was asked about the facilitation of an opposition office. He responded that providing such an office for opposition leader is not a priority for his government, arguing that there has always been office space provided for the opposition as it was while he had been opposition leader.
“There has always been office space provided for the opposition – I spent ten years as opposition leader and the office is still available in the Farara Building.”
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The Premier said that the office is still located in the Clerk of Council’s office, and explained that he told the opposition leader the week before when he spoke with him, that,“…at this time it’s not a priority budget wise.”
He said about the opposition MP: “he’s saying he needs a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to do an office, it’s not goanna happen!”
The Premier said he offered: “When we move into the building, there is conference room which is outside of the general office you come up the stairs you go directly into that conference room. He can use that office if he wishes to conduct his private meetings and we’ll provide them with support from the main office and I’m absolutely genuine with that offer but he’ll have to do it by booking the office as he needs it.”
The Opposition Leader Romeo reacted to the Premier’s response and said he never told him anything about an office for $100,000.00, which he said is only 0.1% of the recurrent budget. He said that upon request he had submitted a proposal to DFID for a functioning office that would amount to that figure.
He explained: “Unlike most, I work full time as an Opposition member and I pay for regular assistance … At present all that is provided is a tiny room within the Clerk of Council’s office with a computer and a file cabinet. The room is not private, and I received instructions that the staff to the Clerk of Council is not to provide us with clerical support. The room is only accessible to Opposition members during working hours of the Clerk of Council.”
“Over a year ago I was asked by our Hon Premier to present a proposal to him for a proper office which I did. To date I have not received a proper response,” he added, noting that with a staffed and equipped office the Opposition will be, “far more effective in holding the GoM to account and be more accessible in serving the Public during and after working hours.”
Hon. Romeo says that both FCO and DFID have been supportive of what is accepted as the proper thing to do as is done everywhere else especially in the UK. He notes, “it is acceptable that, the government also has its responsibilities to the opposition …”
PHOTOS OF Premier’s new office building
