Gerald Watt
Sir Gerald Watt | |
|---|---|
| 6th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Assumed office 25 June 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Giselle Isaac-Arindell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 19, 1938 |
Sir Gerald Owen Anderson Watt KCN KC (born December 19, 1938)[1] is an Antiguan politician and a former cabinet minister. Watt represented St. John's Rural East in parliament from 1971 until 1976 and is a former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission.[1] Watt has also served as attorney general (1971-1976)[2] during his time as Minister of National Security, Labour, and Legal Affairs. Watt has been the Speaker of the House of Representatives since 25 June 2014. He can be considered bipartisan.[3]
Political career
[edit]2023 speaker election
[edit]Following the nomination of three candidates, the Speaker of the House of Representatives was chosen in secret ballot in 2023 for the first time in the history of the nation. Nominations from the floor included former prime minister Baldwin Spencer, lawyer Sherrie-Ann Bradshaw, and Watt. Bradshaw received a nomination from the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Jamale Pringle for Spencer, Watt from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and independent candidate Asot Michael for Bradshaw.[4]
2023 allegations of partisanship
[edit]The United Progressive Party (UPP) considered a vote of no confidence against Watt. Jamale Pringle, the leader of the UPP, first declared that he would bring a motion forward in July 2023. Allegations of political prejudice and alleged maltreatment of opposition MPs, particularly Asot Michael of St. Peter, who was suspended for three sittings on May 18, 2023, were the main causes for the allegations.[5]
In September 2024, Watt announced his intention to retire at the end of the parliamentary session.[6]
Views
[edit]Crime
[edit]Watt supports arming police officers with tasers.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Caribbean Elections Biography | Gerald Watt". www.caribbeanelections.com.
- ^ "Antigua police should apologise to Sir Ron—says former Attorney General". Kaieteur News. 10 January 2012.
- ^ Michael, Vivian. "House Speaker to decide fate of Opposition Leader". Antigua Observer Newspaper.
- ^ https://antiguaobserver.com/watt-returns-as-speaker-of-the-house-yearwood-accepts-deputy-position/
- ^ https://antiguanewsroom.com/upp-vows-to-proceed-with-no-confidence-motion-against-speaker-sir-gerald-watt/
- ^ "Obsert Frederick to Succeed Sir Gerald Watt as Speaker of the House". Antigua News Room. 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ https://antiguanewsroom.com/tase-them-sir-gerald-watt-qc-recommends-tasers-for-those-resisting-lawful-arrest/
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