With much interest I read the opinion/commentary article entitled: "One bright idea" in the Today Opinion & Commentary section of the Today Newspaper, dated April 2, 2015, p.7. The article expressively stated that "St. Maarten is not the only country in the Kingdom that struggles with ship-jumping politicians". And "that in The Hague it has gotten so bad that the presidium of the parliament proposes that politicians who leave their faction will no longer get the opportunity to begin a new faction.
In St. Maarten's case, of course seemingly referring to the apparent chronic problem facing St. Maarten, where members-elect of Parliament arbitrary have declared themselves as "independent" (from their existent political party) and threw their support behind another political party to form a majority in Parliament. Consequently, we have seen the demise of Government twice in less than 3 years and the present Government in an alleged contentious state of flux.
The author further states that "it is currently unclear what the presidium in The Hague thinks to achieve with a measure to present ship-jumping politicians to form their own faction, with a proposal to be discuss on June 21. While further affirming that "In St. Maarten there is also discussion about measures to prevent ship-jumping but so far we have not heard of any proposal that could be effective", and "the outcome of the discussion (in The Hague) could just produce that one bright idea that could help St. Maarten's instable political system out of the woods as well". And "if (St. Maarten's) dissatisfied MPs cannot declare themselves independent anymore, they will simply stay with their faction and cause havoc there by voting the other way – and there is nothing anyone can do about it."
I applaud the commentator on his/her keen insight in bringing to light a disaster waiting to unfold. Fortunately there already exist a solution to the problem as outlined in my Draft Electoral Reconciliation Ordinance which has been in circulation for some time and specifically addresses the issue of "ship-jumping". I'm certain that had the commentator an opportunity to read that document he/she would agree that it is the "bright idea" being needed.
It not only provides for an effective solution and discourages "ship-jumping", but also brings stability to governance in St. Maarten. Specifically, the draft Ordinance, in part, prevents any member-elect or elected Member of Parliament who has not received the required number of votes or quota to elect him or herself to Parliament, but is selected to Parliament based on the number of parliamentary seats won by the party from aligning with another party as an independent Member of Parliament. In effect, any member-elect or Member of Parliament can rightfully declare him or herself "independent", however, if they are selected to Parliament based on the number of Parliamentary seats allotted to the party - the seat would revert to the party which has justifiable won the seat, thus deterring the notion and incentive for "ship-jumping" and assuring proportional representation as directed by the Constitution.
As for the author's belief that "if dissatisfied MPs cannot declare themselves independent anymore, they will simply stay with their faction and cause havoc there by voting the other way – and there is nothing anyone can do about it", again I respectfully disagree. In joining any organization there are rules and regulations that govern the organization and must be followed. There is no free for all and the same can be said when joining a political party. Political parties usually encompass like-minded individuals. Where there is a difference of opinion among party MPs, they are expected to conference behind closed doors and settle on a party position to which every party MP is in implicit agreement and is expected to vote for or against (in Parliament). Voting in Parliament contrary to party platform or party line is grounds for expulsion and should be maintained. Party politics is not about voting in respect to one's "conscience", as often alluded too but about consensus building.
Irrespective of the "ship-jumping" parliamentary discussion in The Hague, the "One bright idea" already exist if only we exert confidence in ourselves and give credence to our own. In the coming months renewed efforts would be made to further educate the general public about the draft Electoral Reconciliation Ordinance and to have Parliament consider and ratify said amendments to the present Electoral Ordinance adopted December 2010.
By Julio R. Romney, Political Analyst
