The decision to open up parliamentary committee meetings indicates a turning point in history. It is important to go public because we have to show transparency, openness and honesty, says Chairperson of the Joint Select Committee on education.
Hon. D. Neletha Butterfield, JP, MP,
in Hamilton Ms Neletha Butterfield was first elected to the House of Parliament in 1998 representing the constituency of Pembroke West Central.
On 16 May 2008 a motion was moved by the Minister of Education, Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton JP, MP. “that this honourable House appoints a joint select committee to consider, review and report on the recommendations as stated in the Review of Public Education in Bermuda reported by Mr David Hopkins dated May 2007”. While political parties may not see eye to eye on every matter, this motion was so significant that we had to put aside party lines and work together in honesty and truth for the benefit of all of Bermuda’s students. The educational development of our children is of great importance for the future prosperity of Bermuda. With the motion now placed before the House it was for the Speaker of the House, Hon.
34 | The Parliamentarian | 2009: Issue One - Bermuda
Stanley Lowe, OBE, JP, MP, to announce the committee Members from the government (Progressive Labour Party) and
Hon. D. Neletha Butterfield, JP, MP
opposition (United Bermuda Party) comprising of both the House of Assembly and the Senate with the
recommendation of names from the Minister of Education.
On 6 June 2008, Mr Lowe announced the names of the appointments to the joint select committee comprising of Hon. Michael J. Scott, Ms Lovitta Foggo and me (PLP Government Members), and Hon. Dr. E. Grant Gibbons and Mr Jon L. Brunson (UBP Opposition Members). On 11 June 2008 the President of the Senate appointed Senator C. Walton D. Brown (PLP Government Member) and Senator Charles F.B. Swan (UBP Opposition Member). The Joint Select Committee held its first meeting on 29 July 2008, where I was nominated to become the chairperson of the committee. Terms, conditions and parameters were discussed but more importantly whether or not the meetings should be held in public.