Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet attended Tuesday’s sitting of parliament wearing a United Workers Party (UWP) branded cap, an unusual feature of parliament attire.
The move was seemingly a form of protest action to bring in focus the debate on party insignia in parliament.
The matter became a major talking point after UWP senator Elisha Norbert was shut down by Speaker Claudius Francis in his attempt to raise a Point of Order at last weekend’s 75th Anniversary celebration of Adult Suffrage.
The Leader of the Opposition’s cap-wearing protest was followed by a statement on his Facebook page.
“My decision to wear a political party hat in Parliament was deliberate. It was intended to expose the inconsistency in the explanations given for allowing political paraphernalia during the recent joint sitting of Parliament.
I expected the Speaker to respond by identifying the Standing Order, established parliamentary convention or previous ruling that governed the matter.
Instead, rather than addressing the procedural question I raised, the Speaker chose to make remarks which I consider an attempt to ridicule me.
Ridicule is not a Standing Order. Personal remarks are not a substitute for a procedural ruling.
This matter is not about a hat. It is about whether the rules governing our Parliament are clear, consistent and applied equally.
If the wearing of political paraphernalia is prohibited in Parliament, then let us identify the rule and apply it consistently. If exceptions are permitted, let us establish who has the authority to grant those exceptions and on what basis.
The Speaker has a responsibility not only to maintain order but also to uphold confidence in the impartiality of the institution.
That is the issue I raised and it remains unanswered.”