Church Senator Explains Why He Disagrees on Senate Walkout

The decision by opposition and independent senators to walk out of Tuesday’s Senate meeting was triggered by reports that the Belize Telemedia Limited Board had approved the proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, the company that operates Smart. The senators were preparing to ratify the Occupational Safety and Health Bill when news of the BTL Board’s decision reached the chamber.  The walkout was intended to register their objection to the way the proposed eighty-million-dollar transaction was being advanced, amid continued calls for greater transparency and public consultation. Their departure, however, meant they were not present for the remainder of the Senate’s proceedings, including consideration of the long-awaited OSH Bill.  Church Senator Louis Wade Junior was the only independent senator who chose to remain inside the chamber. Wade explained that, regardless of his concerns surrounding the BTL-Smart acquisition, he believed walking out would have meant abandoning his responsibilities as a legislator at a critical point in the proceedings.

Rev’s Louis Wade, Churches Senator: “I do not believe personally that walking out of a meeting where we represent not ourselves but the people would have been the best strategy yesterday. Yesterday was a very important day in the Senate because we were debating and then getting ready to prepare to pass the OSH bill, which has been in the waiting for 17 years. So I was the only independent senator to vote on the OSH. Secondly, earlier when we were debating the OSH bill, the opposition stated that they did not get to participate in the OSH within the lower house because they had walked out on that day. The OSH bill had 22 approved amendments in the Senate and there are an additional 46 pending. I was not there to represent Plus TV. I was not there to represent my own financial interests. I am there to represent the constituency, which is the church. I have to consider both the Evangelical Association which wouldn’t mind if I walk out, but I have to also remember that I represent the Council of Churches which is more conservative, it is more deliberate in its actions, and so I have to represent my entire constituency. Trust me when I say I was very comfortable with what I did yesterday, and I will do it again.”

Wade said senators have a duty to examine and vote on the legislation brought before them, particularly a major piece of law such as the OSH Bill, which is intended to strengthen workplace safety protections across Belize.