MP Ottley: "I am not part of this govt," tells coalition MPs “silence is consent”

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Omar Ottley used his time during notifications in Parliament on Tuesday to publicly distance himself from the current governing coalition, making clear that he is not part of Government and should not be viewed by the public as sharing responsibility for its decisions or lack of action.

Addressing the country directly, Ottley said he felt compelled to clarify his position because members of the public continue to approach him daily with concerns about the direction of the country, the lack of economic activity, and what they see as mounting national problems. According to Ottley, many people are expressing frustration and looking for answers, and he wants it clearly understood that he sits in opposition, not in the coalition.

“I am not, I repeat, a part of this government. I am not a part of this coalition,” Ottley said.

The MP explained that when residents raise concerns with him about what is going wrong in the country, there is only so much he can do from the opposition bench. He said he can speak out, raise issues, and put forward motions, but he does not have the power to execute policy or force implementation. Those responsibilities, he stressed, remain with the Government.

Ottley said this distinction is important because the public must understand where responsibility lies when it comes to the handling of the country’s affairs. While opposition MPs can make noise, challenge decisions, and advocate for action, they cannot carry out policy measures if the Government chooses not to act.

He used his remarks to criticize the current administration, pointing to what he described as a series of disputes and controversies surrounding Government. Among the matters he referenced were ongoing tensions involving the Prime Minister, the Governor, the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), and staffing issues within the VSA Cabinet.

Though brief, his comments carried a broader political message: that the country’s problems cannot simply be laid at the feet of Parliament as a whole without distinguishing between the coalition that governs and the opposition that does not.

Ottley also directed a pointed message at coalition MPs, saying that silence in the face of what is happening amounts to consent. In his view, members who remain quiet while the country faces serious concerns are effectively allowing the present course to continue unchecked.

“Silence is consent,” he said.

His comments appeared aimed not only at informing the public of his role, but also at increasing pressure on coalition parliamentarians to speak more openly about the issues facing the country and to take responsibility for the performance of the administration they support.

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