Opposition member Donaldson Romeo deferred a motion of no confidence in Speaker Charliena White, during the latest sitting of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly.
The decision came following a discussion with Premier Joseph E Farrell, opposition leader Paul Lewis and other assembly members, before the session on 30 April, he explained.
“I decided and agreed that is in the best interest of all government, opposition, honourable speaker and the country that I defer the motion of no confidence,” Romeo said.
Instead he has opted for a discussion among members “to clarify the issues surrounding the resolutions that were rejected”, he said at the end of the day’s session.
Romeo added: “I’m hoping that the general public will understand that it is always best to try and fix things in house and that is what I’m willing to do.”
The results of the discussion will be taken to the assembly at a later date.
‘A serious violation’
During a radio interview on 14 April, the opposition member said he planned to table a motion of no confidence in the speaker.
The decision came after she blocked him from presenting a resolution on increasing financial support for the vulnerable that he sought to have the assembly debate.
White disallowed the resolution on the grounds that she deemed it incompatible with Montserrat’s parliamentary processes.
In a letter to Romeo and other members on 28 February, she said the opposition cannot bring motions which may result in the drawing of money from the consolidated fund.
But the opposition member argued that the assembly’s standing orders allow any member of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly to propose a resolution.
He said her decision is “a serious violation and I can’t allow it to happen”, adding that it could shape the future of parliament in Montserrat.
