Does a “Super-sized Cabinet” Threaten the Independence of Parliament ?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On Wednesday, May 20th, Parliament returns, marking the start of a new legislative session.

It’s one of the three arms of government, where the legislative represents Parliament, the executive represents the prime minister’s cabinet, and then the judiciary, commonly known as the legal system.

Each branch is supposed to act independently in it’s role, but according to former House of Assembly speaker, Halson Moultrie, large cabinets like the record breaking 29-appointees we see during this term, threatens the very independence the house holds.

Halson Moultrie – Former Speaker, House of Assembly

“Almost the entire legislative branch outside of the speaker, the deputy speaker would be members of the executive branch, so that nullifies the function of the legislative branch.”

So what does the law say?

Halson Moultrie – Former Speaker, House of Assembly

“Under article 72 which gives the government or governing party and the prime minister of opportunity to select a minimum of eight cabinets besides itself.”

He describes Davis’ cabinet it as a “super-sized cabinet,” where that number doesn’t even include other parliamentary secretaries sworn in.

Moultrie, who served as the first independent house speaker when the Free National Movement held the majority from 2017-2021, says he knows the confusion a government leaning speaker brings, and that’s just what we saw.

The most recent speaker was criticized for her handling of proceedings at times.

Halson Moultrie – Former Speaker, House of Assembly

“You wanna give the appearance of neutrality, and you don’t wanna give their appearance of a bias, because the opposition will always take the position that the speaker is bias coming from the governing body.”