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The excessive use of “Madam Speaker” in last HOA was worst- deCastro

April 5th, 2012 | Tags: HOA Local Donald deCastro Madam Speaker
While it was noted that Madam Speaker or Mister Speaker is widely used in Parliaments in many countries, Donald deCastro believes it is being overused in the HOA. Photo: VINO
Donald deCastro
Donald deCastro
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Radio talk show host Donald deCastro says he is still pleasantly surprised with the amount of persons who have been meeting him almost every day and telling him that they too are annoyed with what he terms as excessive use of the title Madam Speaker in the House of Assembly (HOA).

deCastro, speaking on his programme Straight Talk last evening April 4, 2012, said the excessive use of Madam Speaker by the Honourable Members at the last session of the HOA was even worst than the previous session.

He did, however, congratulated Minister of Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie Skelton “for he seems to be the one that use Madam Speaker less frequently than all the others and he also seems to have great respect for the people of this Territory because he always seems to say Virgin Islanders, and Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands. It seems as though the rest of the House of Assembly don’t seem to yet know who they are”.

On his programme Wednesday March 7, 2012, the very outspoken deCastro had recommended that members of the House of Assembly (HOA) and certain preachers of the Gospel join the Toastmasters Club of Tortola to improve their communication skills.

“Now we listen to the House of Assembly, they need to join Toastmasters. They get in there and they say Madam Speaker, Mister Speaker and their speech is a hundred words long, 85 of those words are either Mister Speaker or Madam Speaker that by the time they are through you forget the essence of their speech. You need to get them in there. They need that training badly and the Minister of Education, the present one and the last one are the worst of the set. They say Madam Speaker more than anyone else…they need to get in Toastmasters”, deCastro had said.

While it was noted that Madam Speaker or Mister Speaker is widely used in Parliaments in many countries, the radio host noted that it was being overused in the local House.

The talk show host had also added that sometimes when he listens to preachers and church ministers on the radio he has to turn the radio off. “They are saying a prayer 20 words long and 18 are either God, The Father or Jesus. You need to get them in there (Toastmasters Club).”

25 Responses to “The excessive use of “Madam Speaker” in last HOA was worst- deCastro ”

  • ausar (05/04/2012, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    DeCastro, since the WEE II PEE is your party, you should be able to help them in this regard. GO down there to the first district and discourage Fahie from these statements with your message!
  • Real Talk (05/04/2012, 13:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For once I can agree with this man lol!! From the time I know myself, this is how they have been speaking in Legco/HOA. I don't know where they got it from but everyone does it, some more than others. It's actually very sickening as you sometimes miss the gist of what they're saying becuase every second is 'Madame Speaker'. So Castro you right, perhaps someone can explain why they speak that way.
  • east end (05/04/2012, 13:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you elected a bunch of light weight and momoo what else you expect????....next house meeting listen to alvera, myron, deloris, alvin and Marlon...you will hear ting and speaking issues
    • queen bee (06/04/2012, 07:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      oh plzz decastro dem aint know better gimme & dem ah break deman
  • Cyclops (05/04/2012, 14:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Never know I could ever be in agreement with Mr. Decastro but he is so right on this one.
    • jtv (07/04/2012, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      pll tak god some of dem went to school or else we would have tink dem were retard das ah fact decastro
  • HELLO (05/04/2012, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    DeCastro also needs to go to toastmasters club for he can't speak properly at all. (talk about pot calling kettle black). That is the way I have always heard the elected officials speak. It is proper to say madam or mister speaker as the english does in parlament. We are english and falls under the queen's heading of political policies and protocall. I does not bother me whne they say it, how they say it or how many times it is said. It does not take away from my understanding of what they are talking about. It's amazing that is the only thing DeCastro can hear during those hours of talks in the house.
    • hater (05/04/2012, 16:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "hello" you are one in a million I hate to hear it..so sicken
    • island girl (05/04/2012, 21:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ hello where in the bvi do they speak properly , people please you may fall under the queen but you do not speak like the english does.
  • timeline (05/04/2012, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FOR REAL THEY NEED TO USE THE WORD LESS
  • AGREED (05/04/2012, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Decastro, you are on the ball with this one. I actually stopped listening to HOA last week because I was so distracted by the excessive use of "Madam Speaker", that I wasn't interested in the points the members were apparently trying to make anymore.
  • critic (05/04/2012, 15:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    marlon is new and he done start to abuse it "madum speekur"
    • @ Critic (06/04/2012, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Poor you "SMH". The more you hate on Hon. Penn, the more he shinees. One thing we know for sure, that you will never get a chance to be in there to say “madum speekur” So go crawl under a rock.
      • fish market (06/04/2012, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        why this obsession to find out who critic tis?? one day its Myron the next day its Julian the next day tis Zoe the next day it Cavin..who the hell cares???? it just a blog
  • weed (05/04/2012, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    one thing for sure poor decastro will never get elected to say Madam speaker...he he he
  • Talk Bring Talk (05/04/2012, 20:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW......I cant believe this but I'm actually agreeing with Mr Decastro for the 1st time lol....I was hearing all this Madam Speaker Madam Speaker and I was like .....what is this? Trust me, it is disgusting! They need to shape up on this repetitive stuff....
  • Hola (06/04/2012, 00:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Why they complaining to you If they were using expletives would that be better? Try leave the government. You can never overdo expressions of respect
  • Sammy (06/04/2012, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "even WORST than the previous session".........and your point is ????
  • Truth Is (06/04/2012, 11:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't understand all the blah blah blah about this. DeCastro just looking his 5 days of fame. I listen to the issues spoken about, not the madam anything. I suggest alll you do the sme and listen to issues in their speeches. To the bloer "East End" I sincerely do no think IF by chance YOU were elected you could have done any better than the names you called. Full of jealousy and negativity
    • NDP attack dog (06/04/2012, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      no so fast "Truth is" who would have believe that the likes of Alvera, Myron, Archie and Marlon could have been elected. What is says is, anybody can get in... so my two cents do not rule anyone out.
      • Sad sad sad... (06/04/2012, 16:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You people have some nerve and is very disrespectful, talking about the "likes of" when referring to our elected officials. I’m sure you people who come on here chatting nonsense, have done nothing with your lives. You’re just a set of empty, jealous souls... who live only to belittle your own people. Lets just hope, that you represent a fraction of the BVI, because if you represent the majority. The future of our territory looks very bleak.
  • Diaspora (06/04/2012, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the role of the Speaker? Is not Speakers role is to ensure that the rules of the HOA is being followed? When a member has the floor is she/he addressing the people, the issue at hand, other members or trying to convincing the Speaker of the strength of their point? Can an unelected Speaker vote on the floor? Furthermore can an elected member serving as speaker vote on the floor? The constant use of Mr. or Madame Speaker is annoying and sometimes nauseating. Members, speak on the issue and make your contribution to the discussion. Address the Speaker for a clarification of process.
  • DarkVader (06/04/2012, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I still dont understand why the fuss of how often the phrase Madam Speaker is used in the house. This has been this way for decades, so why the big fuss now. Are there not other things in this country that needs our attention? Why DeCastro does not offer suggestions on how to solve our rising crime rate, child molestation..why does he not offer solutions to the government on how to get new monies into our country to help our economy? Oh, I fogot, his mind is tooo small to think on those things..his mind can only take him as far as hearing how many times Madame Speaker is said in the house.
    • Bigger Problem (06/04/2012, 22:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are soooooooo right some of these people are so small minded before they think about finding a solution to some of the big problem that the country are facing they are too busy worrying about the use of madam speaker or who can get elected..... It is time we put aside these petty thing and start looking on a more positive side of live


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