Moultrie resigns from FNM

House Speaker D. Halson Moultrie tendered his resignation from the Free National Movement (FNM) today.

In a letter addressed to FNM Secretary General Sefrent Rolle, Moultrie said, “Today with immediate effect, I formally end my seven-month constructive withdrawal from the Free National Movement by tendering my resignation thereby cancelling my membership.

“My patriotic and not to be compromised convictions on fundamental essentials of democracy and good governance such as the separation of powers, autonomy and independence of the legislature and judiciary, accountability and transparency, freedom of information and respect for the constitution makes my continued affiliation and association divergent and untenable.”

Moultrie said he intends to serve as an independent member until the House is either prorogued for the purpose of electing a new speaker or dissolved for the general election.

Over the last several months, Moultrie has repeated lamented the lack of independence of the Parliament from the executive branch.

In the House of Assembly yesterday, he said he was considering contacting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association about the matter.

“I wonder if I have to contact the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for us to recognize this wrong,” he said.

Moultrie has on previous occasions taken issue with what he says is an “oversized Cabinet” that takes away the authority of the legislative branch.

In October, he referred to the Parliament as a “dinghy attached to the mothership”, saying he cannot even buy a toothpick without Cabinet approval.

As he raised the issue again on Wednesday, he said the COVID-19 pandemic should be “a time of change”.

The post Moultrie resigns from FNM appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/moultrie-resigns-from-fnm/