Outgoing government senator Dr Douglas Slater has reminded his parliamentary colleagues that leadership is a very serious responsibility.{{more}}
As he bade farewell to his fellow lawmakers and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), last Thursday, Slater spoke about the behaviour that is expected of parliamentarians while attending sittings of the House of Assembly.
“It is incumbent on us as leadersâ¦that we display decorum in this House that oneâ¦can emulate and go forward to serve in this capacity,” he said.
“I wish to suggest to all my colleagues in this House, our citizens are watching us. Unfortunately, because of the political divide, sometimes they follow us even when we are doing wrong”.
He stated that one must always remember that leadership is a very serious responsibility.
Describing himself as a man of few words, Slater expressed his love for public service and said that he hoped to represent SVG well, as he takes up the post of Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM, responsible for human and social development.
Senators Elvis Charles and David Browne also said goodbye during their final meeting of the House last Thursday.
Charles is expected to take up the post as manager of the Housing and Land Development Corporation, while Browne will be furthering his university studies both by distance and face-to- face learning.
In his remarks, Charles, who was parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, declared that he had no regrets about his two and a half years spent in office.
“I have built many friendships. I have become closer to my parliamentary colleagues and other members of Cabinet,” he said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves for his guidance.
“I really thank the Prime Minister and my parliamentary colleagues for this opportunity,” Charles said.
” I would like to thank the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the people of Central Kingstownâ¦I’ll always be here to serve them because this is another opportunity to serve my country”.
Browne, who was also deputy Speaker, reminisced about going through the parliamentary procedures during his first sitting at the House of the Assembly.
“I must say, my time in Parliament thus far has been an excellent one,” he said.
“Today reminded me that there is never a dull moment in St Vincent’s Parliament andâ¦I want to thank all the members on my side of the House and the other side of the House, for providing to me a history that I’ll never forget.”
Additionally, Browne thanked the Prime Minister for his guidance and direction, as well as the Speaker, Hendrick Alexander for being his mentor over the years.
“I want to say that I will never forget Parliament. I will always respect past and present parliamentarians,” Browne said.
Other parliamentarians from both sides of the House also offered up words of goodwill to the three men and wished them well in their respective journeys.
Prime Minister Gonsalves has said that before the end of August, he will advise Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne on the replacements for the senators.(BK)
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