The term Shape Up or Ship out, now applies to the Members of Parliament that stayed away from the Parliament meeting which was scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the Jules James vote on November 17th, 2011 says the members of the Windward Island Chamber of Labour Unions. On Tuesday, the only Member of Parliament representing the coalition that attended the meeting was the chairlady Gracita Arrindell.
The Members of Parliament were supposed to discuss the lawfulness of the vote cast by MP Jules James regarding a company of which he is the Managing Director. Vice President of the WICLU Claire Elshot told reporters on Thursday that the actions of the Members of Parliament is a slap in the face for the people of St. Maarten and the people cannot continue to tolerate this kind of modus operandi of the Parliament of St. Maarten. “We are more than year now as a country and I cannot remember one decent law that has been presented. Someone has to tell Parliament to shape up or ship out.” Elshot further stated that the Members of Parliament were elected to represent the people and if they are unable to do so then they should demit from their offices. If this trend continues St. Maarten will be repeating what happens on St. Eustatius, whose governing coalition collapsed on Wednesday.
President of the WICLU Theophilus Thompson described the actions of the Members of Parliament representing the coalition as blatant disregard to the country, Thompson said those MPs held their own meeting in the same building that housed their offices. Most of the Members of Parliament from the governing coalition were present at the time of the scheduled parliament meeting but refused to sign in. The only Member of Parliament who gave notice of his absence was MP Petrus Leroy De Weever. Thompson said the move by the MP’s has placed a huge question mark on democracy. The unionist said the Members of Parliament do not understand their roles. “I consider this to be a very serious matter for the population and the country. To not show up at a meeting and take care of the people’s business when the people are paying you good salaries is a very serious concern.” Thompson said there is too much conflict of interest and everyone is defending their interest on both sides. It is clear something is wrong. Thompson further explained that it is regrettable that the leaders of the governing parties remained mum on the SBRMC issue and the workers plight.
