Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament has chastised MPs for hailing him during the procession into the chamber, describing their actions as unparliamentary.
According to him, members are to be upstanding and in a solemn mood to welcome the Speaker in accordance with universal parliamentary practice.
The Speaker since the commencement of the 8th parliament has always been welcomed with accolades, especially from the Minority caucus who affectionately call him the “Father of the House”.
He said: “This is a solemn occasion and members are to be upstanding and be quiet and silent. I’ve told your leaders a number of times to inform you. That’s unparliamentary, it’s against the practice and culture of parliament for people to be talking and hailing the king when he’s leading the procession into the House of Commons or the Queen, it is not done anywhere”.
Father of the House
“Since that has not been done (caution from leaders to members), I’m compelled to do it myself from the chair. Yes, I’m the father of the House but that should not be said when we’re in a procession coming into the House. So, please let that be the end of ‘father oh, father’! I’m grateful for the adulation but at least, we must go by the ethics of our career”, he stated.
Bagbin has also admonished members to espouse their own views on the floor during debates and not necessarily lean towards the stance of their colleagues.
