Secondary students from schools around the territory took part in a mock House of Assembly sitting last Friday as part of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the restoration of the legislature in 1950.
Teachers, students, HOA members and other supporters gathered in the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to watch the students debate the 2022-2023 Constitutional Review Commission Report.
Their deliberations echoed similar talks held in the real HOA in September, when members debated the report for six days before entering a closed-door committee session to discuss its recommendations further.
On Friday, D’Aunte Williams, who played the role of the premier and finance minister, kicked off the debate by arguing against a proposal to implement term limits for the premier.
“At first, term limits may seem like a straightforward solution to ensure fairness and leadership renewal,” he said. “However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that this approach could have far-reaching and unintended consequences that could ultimately weaken our system of government.”
Term limits, he added, could “force out strong leaders even when the people want them.”
Malia Choucoutou, who played the part of Second District representative, disagreed with Mr. Williams, arguing that term limits help ensure accountability and avoid a “dangerous concentration” of power.
“This proposal is not about limiting anyone’s opportunity to lead,” she said. “Rather, it’s about promoting fairness, creating space for new leadership and protecting the integrity of our democracy from the risk of unchecked power.”
‘Opposition leader’
Caleb Stoutt, who played the role of opposition leader and Sixth District representative, argued against a recommendation to elect all HOA members at-large.
“Mr. Speaker, at first glance, this reform may appear attractive,” Mr. Stoutt said. “Supporters argue that electing all members as at-large representatives would strengthen unity, eliminate district politics and ensure that every representative is accountable to every citizen. … But, Mr. Speaker, when we look closer — when we examine the structure of our Constitution, our geography, our population distribution and our democratic history — we realise that this reform, though well-intentioned, creates more harm than good.”
He also argued that a system limited to at-large representation would “drown out” the voices of voters in smaller populations such as Anegada.
Other students agreed with Mr. Stoutt, including Kimoyah Smith, who played the role of deputy premier and Third District representative.
As the debate continued, students also debated whether to require the premier and deputy premier to be at-large representatives and whether to impose fixed election dates.
Deputy premier
In closing remarks, Deputy Premier Julian Fraser commended the participants for being well-prepared and well-rehearsed. He also noted that students from both sides of the mock HOA had presented arguments that transcended party lines.
“When you listen to the debate, you hear the same thing from this side that you hear from this side,” he said, motioning to the government and opposition sides. “And that wouldn’t normally happen, because you might be sent home packing.”
Speaker of the House Corine George-Massicote, who also attended the event, praised the students’ performance.
“We didn’t censor what they prepared,” Ms. George-Massicote told the Beacon this week. “We just gave them the guidance in terms of, ‘Okay, the adults in your lives may have a particular view, but you are about to come into this community and be part of this community. And so we want you to think seriously about the impact that such changes to the Constitution would have on you and your future in this territory.’”
This approach, she said, piqued the students’ interest. “It was excellent,” she added. “Those students really performed and made us proud.”
Freeman Rogers contributed reporting to this story.
