Was the Speaker of the House intentionally left out of a bit of correspondence to select members of the House to attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) later this month?{{more}}

Based on information reaching SEARCHLIGHT, it may appear as though Hendrick Alexander, Speaker of the House and President of the local Branch of the CPA, was left out of the process to select persons to attend the sub meeting of the Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentary Association’s meeting which will be held Grenada on June 25 and 26.

The meeting is being held during the 36th Regional Conference in Grenada and, according to sources, the Speaker only found out of the nomination of Opposition Senator Vynnette Frederick after it had already taken place.

According to a reliable source, the initial correspondence was sent on May 26 by Adrian Hayes, Grenada’s Clerk of Parliament, inviting this country to send a representative to the meeting.

Sources further revealed that in subsequent responses made to Hayes’ email, copies were sent to the Clerk of the House and Arnhim Eustace, who is Opposition Leader and one of the two Vice Presidents of the local CPA.

This correspondence, which was sent on June 2, said: “We alerted the two youngest Members of Parliament, both on the opposition side, we are awaiting the response from them on this matter.”

Then on June 8, an email was sent to Hayes from the Office of the Speaker of the House indicating that Senator Frederick had been nominated.

Again the Speaker and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the other Vice President of the CPA were both missing from the list of persons who were copied on the official notice.

When contacted, the Speaker of the House said that he was not prepared to make a comment on the matter. He indicated that he did not know how the information had leaked out, but that he would be dealing with the matter internally.

The CPA is an organisation that has been set up to support good governance, democracy and human rights.

According to the CPA’s website one of the primary objectives is “to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance.”

Membership is comprised of elected members to the House of Parliament, with the Speaker holding the capacity of President and the prime minister and leader of opposition holding the two vice president positions.

It was noted, however, that the local branch of the CPA has not met in years. (DD)