Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 356255,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/356255/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 150,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, Sir, I am back. I really appreciate the information from the Majority Chief Whip. I agree with him about the absolute numbers in terms of the rightful share belonging to the majority coalition. You should know that we do acknowledge your majority status. It is not a status that we challenge. It is just the same way we would appreciate if you acknowledged our minority status and the special roles and responsibilities the Constitution and the Standing Orders do expect of us in that minority status. While I agree that the numbers are as stated by the Majority Chief Whip, that does satisfy the requirements of Standing Order No.177, but it would still fall short of the requirement of Standing Order No.174. This is because that requirement of Standing Order No.174 does contemplate the numbers, but then goes ahead to lay the standards in terms of representation across the board. I believe that the authors of the Standing Orders knew exactly what they were saying when they said that when nominating Members to serve in a select committee, the Selection Committee shall ensure that the membership of each committee reflects the relative majorities of the seats held by each of the parliamentary parties in the National Assembly. Hon. Speaker, Sir, with due respect, I believe that there is absolutely no conflict of intent or meaning between Standing Order No.174 and Standing Order No.177. The former speaks to the question of representation and variety of membership representing the shades of opinion in this House. It speaks more to the question of absolute numbers, as to who has what. However, Standing Order No.177 cannot and must not take away the requirement of representation as stated in Standing Order No.174. Really, this matter and my good friend the Leader of the Majority Party knows that, is actually a fantastic test for the character of this House. It is a test on where as hon. Members of the Eleventh Parliament we want to take this House in terms of direction. It is about whether we want to adopt a bipartisan approach to some issues that are fundamental to take this country forward, especially keeping in mind the background of the very hotly contested election that we have come from. That election is now behind us, but the responsibility to move this country forward now rests here. Hon. Members of the Majority Party, the President addressed this House on the official opening of Parliament. He challenged this House to cast aside these differences and emotions that are threatening to tear this House asunder once again. May we, hon. Members, borrow that spirit from the President and attempt to resolve these matters in a manner that moves this country forward! Allow me, hon. Speaker, Sir, as I conclude to share these words from a wise man, Edmund Burke, a British Statesman who lived between 1729 and 1797. He wrote this about Parliament: “Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and"
}