Hanna Martin named and suspended from House

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin was named by House Speaker Halson Moultrie and suspended from further parliamentary sessions after walking out of the House as the speaker gave remarks regarding her behavior during proceedings.

It came after an at times firey exchange between the MP and the speaker.

The explosive scene at the House was sparked during discourse over comments she made last week regarding the firing of two airport officials, which were ultimately stricken from the record.

She had initially stood in the House to set the record straight on comments made at that time.

Following a nearly 45 minute back and forth between the MP and the speaker, he remarked that during his investigations it was found that she repeatedly breached the House rules.

The words did not sit well with Mrs Hanna Martin who insisted that not only was she taken aback and ambushed, but she suggested she had been deceived by the speaker who did not disclose he had reviewed tapes of previous sessions.

She was backed by Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip ‘Brave’ Davis who argued the Englerston MP was being treated unfairly.

In reply, the speaker told the Opposition that if they did not agree with the rules of the House, then they could decide to withdraw from it.

However, before he could complete his remarks, Mrs Hanna Martin gathered her belongings and left the lower chamber.

It was then that the speaker named her and ordered she be suspended until the speaker made a determination on the length of the suspension.

Mr Davis and Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper followed as she exited.

Comments

TheMadHatter says...

It is an injustice that the Speaker would not set the time of her suspension at the moment that he made it. An MP should not be able to be suspended sine die.

Hopefully Davis and Cooper will NOT return to the House until the Speaker states the date that MP Martin can return - and that this date is spoken by him while the House is seated. They can watch the newspapers or TV to read/hear his utterance.

Otherwise, we have no democracy and there is no point attending the House.

I am not a PLP. I do not like them at all. But democracy is democracy and they deserve that much respect. Hanna-Martin has shown time and again that she will stand up for the Bahamian people by putting herself at risk. The last time I recall was when the boy was found hanging by his own belt in the Grove police station. She was suspended then as well. She is a true hero of the people, and I believe had she been present and had not Pindling thrown the mace out, she would have done it. The PLP has made a GRAVE mistake by not electing her as Chairman at their recent convention.

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:01 p.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

the lady must be a dinosaur if she was an active politician when ping was alive....

Posted 1 February 2018, 12:22 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamian242 says...

So no PLP's in the HOA today!!

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:01 p.m. Suggest removal

TheMadHatter says...

Remember Andros.

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:19 p.m. Suggest removal

Islangal1 says...

LOL! LOL!

Posted 31 January 2018, 3:53 p.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

AAWWW the PLP's still need special treatment..... or their feelings get hurt and they bail.... what is this grade school? When they were on the other end of the stick they didn't seem to mind...

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:18 p.m. Suggest removal

TheMadHatter says...

Remember Pindling threw the mace out of the House achieving Independence. Rules of men do not come from God. Right is right. If you have a situation where a peoples' representative can be suspended forever (ie. without a date) then that person is actually not a peoples' representative. They can only be a well behaved negro. Any "uppity" negros will be "suspended". With that you do not have self rule. Wake up. I am not at all a supporter of the PLP, but the 4 that are there represent certain people in this country and they MUST be allowed to represent them - otherwise you are saying that Minnis is a king. If you want a king, then tear up the flag and the Constitution and call Elisabeth and beg forgiveness.

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:23 p.m. Suggest removal

Gotoutintime says...

Elizabeth don't want no part of us!!

Posted 31 January 2018, 2:39 p.m. Suggest removal

hrysippus says...

Mace throwing achieved independence? Really, just like that, no assent by the foreign office, no delegation to London? I guess tis folly to be wise.

Posted 31 January 2018, 6:14 p.m. Suggest removal

tetelestai says...

hrysippus don't be obtuse. You know very well the point of TheMadHatter's soliloquy.

Posted 1 February 2018, 11:54 a.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

whether there's 1 person in the HOA or it's full we still don't come close to a true democracy.... purportedly better then other places but we still a weak weak democratic shitholio....and her people made the rules yet she needs to break them? What part of you broke the rules you get punished is not FRUCKIN CLEAR HERE???

Posted 1 February 2018, 12:25 p.m. Suggest removal

DEDDIE says...

Hanna Martin like her father before her knows how to fight.

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:21 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Hehehehehehehehehe. . .any of yinna heard the rant she had in the house? The speaker asked her what is her point of privileged she stood on. . . she started "spurting" then went into a tirade about "you targeting me. . .why you targeting me. . .what I do". . .please state your point of privilege you stood on! She went on about being targeted and did not state her POP. . .

Posted 31 January 2018, 1:52 p.m. Suggest removal

tetelestai says...

That is not how I viewed it. And, unlike you, I was actually there. Please state facts instead of trying to be "cheeky" on a comment site.

Posted 1 February 2018, 11:55 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Ma Comrades, does this mean the Imperial red shirt Speaker, does want brungs an end to the Lok Sabha.... cause if so, we might as well have just left Pindling's tossing Mace out window - lying on the square's pavement, all battered.
Amen!

Posted 31 January 2018, 2:25 p.m. Suggest removal

PastorTroy says...

TheMadHatter: says, If you want a king, then tear up the flag and the Constitution and call Elisabeth and beg forgiveness.

Posted 31 January 2018, 3:51 p.m. Suggest removal

dajohhnycanoe says...

You must respect the House Rules

Posted 31 January 2018, 4:25 p.m. Suggest removal

hnhanna says...

A year ago the PLP was big and mighty , now the tide turn on them like a big wave, LMAO

Posted 31 January 2018, 5:05 p.m. Suggest removal

TheMadHatter says...

Yes, and the same will happen to the FNM again in 4 years, unless they have the courage to amend the House rules to be more democratic.

Posted 31 January 2018, 5:41 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

This half breed dumbass needs to keep walking ......... she has added nothing to Parliament ....... and she is too obnoxious to really get any sympathy from Joe Public ...... She pretends that she has gravitas like Mother Pratt or Dame Doris, when she was a bungling Minister and a lousy MP.

Posted 31 January 2018, 5:38 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Spot on!

Posted 31 January 2018, 6:28 p.m. Suggest removal

DillyTree says...

Good riddance!

Why do our MPs, who work for us, think they can behave like unruly grade school children? If you can't abide by the House rules, then maybe you should step down or reconsider if politics are for you. So sick of the bad behaviour (both parties) when they should be conducting business on behalf of the Bahamian people.

Try behaving like that at a regular company job!

Posted 31 January 2018, 6:40 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

It just seems like they appoint the least stellar people to this position as if it just requires sitting in a chair with a wig on send banging a hammer. They then start ruling with their "I'm the speaker" emotions as opposed to due process.

Posted 31 January 2018, 6:55 p.m. Suggest removal

MassExodus says...

CYC

Posted 31 January 2018, 9 p.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

What's the last 'C' stand for? LOL!

Posted 1 February 2018, 9:18 a.m. Suggest removal

hrysippus says...

That's funny, waut is that the correct word, I'm so used to rhyming now......

Posted 1 February 2018, 8:26 p.m. Suggest removal

CatIslandBoy says...

Good riddance! I hope she stays gone. Her presence in the HOA offers nothing of any consequence. Based upon the rude behaviour, and lack of respect for the Speaker, exhibited in the House, she should be suspended for a very long time.

Posted 1 February 2018, 12:33 a.m. Suggest removal

seamphony says...

englerston is in the news in 2 articles today. One is their MP misbehaving in the parliament and the other one is the girl gang stabbing...

can englerston please stop voting for this woman election after election. obviously it's not working.

Posted 1 February 2018, 1:08 p.m. Suggest removal

bogart says...

@ MadHatter, very valid point on democracy on representation of the people. We need a serious look on what happens when you have a lopsided parlianent also as to whether those with the smaller side can bring sufficient debate to balance to the overwhelming side. We need to also look at island develppment versus nassau centric. Many Bahamians vote for ghe MP but then they are taken over by toeing the party line, team player etc.
Regardless which party is favoured it must be fair that all citizens get full representation.

Posted 1 February 2018, 12:26 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

From Sir Randol Fawkes Book:
..

> "DON'T THROW SAND IN MY MOUTH, I
> AIN'T DEAD YET"

"CHAPTER XIII
THE DAY THE MACE FLEW OUT THE WINDOW
On Thursday, April 16, 1965 about three o’clock in the afternoon, the House of
Assembly had resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the draft
order providing for the new constituency boundaries under Section 63 of the 1964
Constitution. In the chair was Dr. Raymond W. Sawyer, the Deputy Speaker; on
the floor Brother Milo Boughton Butler, the member for the Western District.
“Mr. Chairman,” shouted Milo Butler, “this Constituency Commission has done
a wicked thing in cutting up New Providence and the Out
Islands in a damnable way in order to give themselves—the minority government—a
distinct advantage in thenext general elections.” Milodeveloped this thought into a
theme without end. As the last grain of sand filtered through the quarter hour glass, Dr.Sawyer, the Chairman, turned in the direction of Brother Butler and
said, “I am very sorry but the member’s time has run out.” “It’s very kind of you to
remind me,” replied Brother Butler, “but I intend to talkon. I ain’t going to let any
grain of sand stop me from talking. Don’t throw sand in my mouth. I ain’t dead yet.”
The Deputy Speaker, who was acting as chairman while the Committee of the Whole
House was in session, realizing that he had reached an impasse, suspended the
proceedings and reported this incident to the Speaker, the Honourable Robert
(Bobby) Symonette.
Milo Butler
324
The Speaker, having been informed, ascended the stairway to his elevated
bench. On his observing Milo Boughton Butler still standing he said, “Will the
Member for the West kindly address his chair.”
The Speaker was really asking Brother Butler to sit down but Milo misunderstood
the finesse of parliamentary language. “I am not addressing my chair. I am
addressing this House,” he replied, while at the same time banging his powerful
right fist on the table.
“Will you please sit down,” pleaded the Speaker.
“I will not,” countered Brother Butler.
Therefore the Speaker named Brother Butler under Rule 37 for wilfully disregarding
the rules of the House. The Premier, Sir Roland T. Symonette, quickly
came to the rescue of his son (the Speaker). “Mr. Speaker,” he said, “I move that
the Member for the West (Milo) be suspended for the remainder of this meeting.”
This motion was duly seconded by the Honourable Geoffrey A. D. Johnston and
then passed.
The Speaker then turned to Milo and said, “Will the member please withdraw.”
Milo, becoming more impatient by the minute, replied, “I will not withdraw, by
grabs!” he continued, “I am getting tired of this darn foolishness!”
The Speaker suspended proceedings for a short time. During this interval, the
Sergeant-at-Arms, William Malone, bearing the majestic mace, marched toward
Milo. “Mr. Butler, will you please leave this House of Assembly!”

Posted 1 February 2018, 2:58 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

“I refuse to leave!” came the thunderous reply, his right fist pounding on the table
and this time scattering all the papers on it. “If I leave Mr. Speaker, you are
going to have to take me out,” Milo added as an afterthought.
Upon this last refusal, two police sergeants approached Milo. They looked at his
large physique and tried to lift him out of the House but were forced to conclude
that this giant of a man was just too much for them to handle.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Salathiel Thompson, on observing the quandary
of his officers, dispatched two more policemen to the scene of action.
There was nothing small about Milo. In those days he weighed close to five hundred
pounds. He had big limbs, a big body, a big face, a big mouth and a big
heart—all of which he placed in the service of his people.
325
In the next few minutes, there were four policemen on the traditionally greencarpeted
House of Democracy. They approached Milo gingerly. Suddenly, two
dashed under the table and each one grabbed a leg while, at the same time, each of
the other two officers seized an arm of Milo. Slowly they disentangled his legs from
under the table and succeeded in lifting him out of the chair and carrying him bodily
in the direction of the stairway. On his way down Milo, in formal morning suit
with tails, shouted, “If you tear my clothes or my skin somebody is going to have to
pay for it.”
With Milo out of the way, the Speaker reconvened the meeting. But as soon as it
was called to order, another of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, Brother A. D., Hanna,
was on his feet debating the gerrymandering of the Boundaries Commission.
He too exhausted his fifteen-minute time bar. He too, refused to stop talking. So
the Speaker named him and summoned two policemen to carry him out.
Brother Hanna was only a flea weight. One of Milo’s thighs weighed more than
the whole of Hanna; yet, when only two policemen came to lift him out of the ancient
and honourable House, he became indignant. “Stop!” he shouted. “How dare
you give Milo four policemen, and me only two? I demand equal rights Mr. Speaker,
equal rights.”
TOO HEAVY — Two officers try in vain to carry Milo Butler out of the House of Assembly"

The story continues that eventually SIX policemen had to remove Milo Butler from the chamber. And A.D.Hanna,father of Glenys Hanna-Martin was also evicted shortly after, escorted out by two policemen. Reports are that A.D.protested loudly about discrimination ass he was being thrown out of the House of assembly about what he called discrimination. They had to use six police to throw out Milo Butler but they only used two to throw him out. A. D Hanna weighed around 145 pounds compared to Milo' s HUGE size. Over 500 pounds. ***"THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN"***

Posted 1 February 2018, 2:59 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

***History does not repeat itself, people repeat history***

Posted 1 February 2018, 3:53 p.m. Suggest removal

CatIslandBoy says...

John, thanks for sharing this important bit of history with your fellow bloggers. I still don't see a connection between what Sir Milo and Midge did and what Glenys just did. Please enlighten me.

Posted 1 February 2018, 4:04 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

Maybe you should read your prior post on this incident and that maybe why you cannot make the connection @ catislandboy

Posted 1 February 2018, 4:36 p.m. Suggest removal

joeblow says...

Her effectiveness in the House is in no way diminished by her absence from it!

Posted 5 February 2018, 8:18 a.m. Suggest removal

Log in to comment