Former House Clerk: “The Speaker Has to Walk That Fine Line and Be Fair to Everyone in the HOA”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Former House Clerk Maurice Tynes suggests The Bahamas may one day want to consider following the example of some other parliamentary democracies, where speakers give up their political affiliations after taking office.

He says the move could help strengthen public confidence in the office of the speaker and reinforce the perception of fairness.

The issue has gained attention in recent weeks as heated exchanges continue inside the House of Assembly, with members of the opposition questioning whether the speaker should operate as a more independent figure.

Tynes says regardless of the debate, the speaker has a responsibility to treat all members equally.

Maurice Tynes – Former House Clerk


“ The speaker has to walk that fine line of presiding over the Parliament, and you know, being fair to everyone in the House of Assembly equally. Each members in the house has equal rights as everyone, as the other member, and the speaker is supposed to deal with each person at that level.”

Tynes also provided insight into the parliamentary privilege – another pressing matter.

Tynes explained that parliamentary privilege exists to protect members in the performance of their duties, and provides a process for complaints to be reviewed when those privileges are believed to have been breached.

He also addressed the speaker’s recent decisions to expunge certain remarks from the official parliamentary record.