Antillian Constitutional Convention

[Хahar 🤔]

Aye

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Grand

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr Denoix rises...

The most pressing issue I believe is our position with regards to a head of state. I believe that as a nation, in the recent past we have suffered from the abuse of constitutional powers. I therefore hold fast the belief that as a nation we should entrust the powers of the head of state to a woman who has never abused this power; to Her Majesty the Queen through her appointed Governor General. As politicians our duty should be to parliament and our aspiration, should we desire to be the Premier, the Prime Minister, the 'first amongst equals.' We should set forward a path towards the establishment of a parliamentary democracy and as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Denoix. I believe that a monarchy is both undemocratic and a waste of the treasury's precious money. Instead, I propose that the Speaker of Parliament become the honorary, apolitical head of state, only voting to break ties. I also propose that the number of MPs be raised to 51 to accommodate this. The head of government should be a separate Prime Minister, holding party membership. This would allow an unbiased, but democratically elected head of state.

I propose that we should join the Commonwealth as a republic, as well as La Francophonie and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. I believe that this arrangement would be acceptable to the vast majority of the population.

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Grand

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Hordern, after giving thought of the issue, I believe that Antillia should become an observer state of the CPLC. However, if the other delegates disapprove, I can withdraw this suggestion.

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Grand

[Хahar 🤔]

Now, I have some questions regarding human rights:

• Do you believe there should be a right to bear arms?
• Do you believe there should be a right to vote?

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

In response to Mr. Tudor's statement, I fully agree that we should join the Commonwealth. However, I find his conflating of Commonwealth membership and a monarchy inappropriate. Since India and Pakistan joined the Commonwealth decades ago, many republics have followed them in Commonwealth membership. I feel that, as Mr. Prabhusanjil and Mr. Watson have already so eloquently pointed out, the Antillian Head of State should be Antillian, and elected. I therefore resubmit my proposal as to the head of state:

I propose that the Speaker of Parliament become the honorary, apolitical head of state, only voting to break ties. I also propose that the number of MPs be raised to 51 to accommodate this. The head of government should be a separate Prime Minister, holding party membership. This would allow an unbiased, but democratically elected head of state.

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Gran

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises, trying not to interrupt Mr. Dudley...

This is somewhat...um...off-topic, but I am wondering why Mr. Cooke uses we as the default first-person pronoun. I am assuming he is speaking for his party, but I believe that at this convention, each delegate speaks for himself and only for himself. I am just hoping that Mr. Cooke has no pretentions to royalty...

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Gran

[Хahar 🤔]

I nominate A.E. Watson.

S.A. Khan
SDP-Le Gran

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

So, then, let's take it to a vote. I propose that the Head of State be a nonpartisan Speaker elected by Parliament who only votes to break ties (much like the British model), and that Antillia join the Commonwealth as a republic.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

In response to Mr. Hordern's question, indeed I do. I am looking for a Speaker much like the British Speaker of the House of Commons. Investing the Speaker with ceremonial Head of State duties would not be a great stretch. If Britain has been able to convince one of its MPs to set aside party politics for centuries, then I hope that Antillia can at least do the same.

[Хahar 🤔]

Aye.

[Хahar 🤔]

We are voting on it.

The count stands at 7 Aye, 1 Nay.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

Now, I would like to discuss appropriation of districts. I think that each province should elect 2 MPs, with the rest elected at-large by some form of porportional representation. This would allow Francophones and Indians to be guaranteed representation while retaining proportionality.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

In response to Mr. Jones' question, first past the post is not a very representative system. I would have no problem with Mr. Cooke's proposal, but I would prefer the system proposed in Ontario, which does not have overhang seats.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mrs. Khan

Um... Mr.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr. Khan rises...

I meant Mrs. as Mr. plural

That would actually be Messrs.

[Хahar 🤔]

Mr Khan rises...

I have no problem with reducing the number of provincial MPs to 1.

[Хahar 🤔]

I think that Mr Dudley would make a fine gavel-basher.

I would like to second that motion!

I will third it.

[Хahar 🤔]

Aye

[Хahar 🤔]

Emphatic Aye.

[Хahar 🤔]

7 aye, 1 nay, 1 abstain

[Хahar 🤔]

I approve a reduction in provincial MPs to one, and support Mr. Hordern's motion on Questio  Time.