Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 95089,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/95089/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 162,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, the matter is somewhat different when the comments and pronouncements are made in respect of business that has been concluded by the House. Members, like other citizens, are not prevented from holding their separate views about decisions made by the House whether or not they were in the House or whether or not they were party to the decisions. These are the workings of democratic practice. It must be left to the judgment of the discerning public what they make of a Member who having the opportunity to debate and vote in the House chooses to forego that opportunity and, instead, takes his case to the public gallery. The public and other, Members will similarly be left to judge for themselves what they make of a Member who having argued his case in the House and been unable to persuade his or her colleagues in the House, resorts to the court of public opinion to disparage the House. If, however, the national record has entries of the fate that has befallen Members who have engaged in this kind of conduct,; if, however, the comments made outside the House are defamatory of other Members as, for example, alleging that other Members have been guilty of receiving bribes or other forms of corruption, it must be noted that different considerations apply. As hon. Members are aware, parliamentary privilege does not extend to such remarks when made outside this House, and any Members who does this proceeds at his or her own peril as to the possible legal consequences. I now wish to address the matter of the recourse of the House when the Executive does not abide by a resolution of the House. In this matter, the view of the Chair is, and has always been, that it is of utmost importance that both the Executive and the Legislature understand clearly their respective fears and the fact that they work in partnership for the common good. The common good is achieved by consultations rather than confrontation and by co-operation rather than antagonism. In this respect, the Chair is aware that following the resolution of the House, there have been high level consultations among various departments of Government with a view to determining the best way to proceed. Without prejudice to the resolution of the House, it is the view of the Chair that such consultations and efforts should be encouraged."
}