In a significant parliamentary confrontation, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves has formally appealed to Governor General Stanley ‘Stalky’ John after House Speaker Ronnia Durham-Balcombe prohibited his participation in a crucial Finance Committee meeting. The exclusion stems from Gonsalves’ failure to complete mandatory oath-taking procedures following November’s general election.
Gonsalves, who served as Prime Minister for 25 years before his party’s electoral defeat, emerged as the sole Unity Labour Party representative securing a seat in the November 27 elections, while the New Democratic Party captured the remaining 14 constituencies. Alongside ULP senators Carlos James and Keisal Peters—both former parliamentarians—Gonsalves abstained from the December 23 ceremonial parliamentary opening where government members were sworn in.
The constitutional impasse reached critical stage during Wednesday’s Finance Committee session, convened to review 2026 Revenue and Expenditure Estimates ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary debate. Speaker Durham-Balcombe formally notified Gonsalves via Monday correspondence that his participation would be barred due to the unresolved oath requirement.
During a Wednesday broadcast on his party’s Star Radio platform, Gonsalves characterized the speaker’s communication as “absurd,” revealing she had suggested he seek permission from Prime Minister Dr. Friday to attend—a proposal he denounced as “triumphalist, partisan politicking.” The opposition leader detailed his written response to the speaker, copied to the governor general, condemning the decision as “an erroneous, egregious and high-handed assault on democratic norms.”
Gonsalves defended his absence from the parliamentary opening by citing security concerns, referencing a 2021 incident where he sustained head injuries from protesters while approaching Parliament. He asserted that National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock had ignored the former governor general’s request for enhanced security provisions, forcing his “carefully considered decision” to boycott the opening session.
The political veteran invoked historical precedent from May 2018 when NDP opposition members, including Dr. Friday, declined to make qualification declarations yet faced no participation barriers. Gonsalves emphasized that the speaker had previously engaged with opposition members on parliamentary questions and distributed committee materials despite their unsworn status, creating what he termed an “estoppel” situation.
Proposing a resolution, Gonsalves suggested the clerk administer oaths during committee opening prayers, arguing the speaker cannot simultaneously deem the committee a proceeding requiring oaths while refusing to facilitate their administration. As of Wednesday, neither the governor general nor speaker had responded to his appeal, though Gonsalves noted the immediate procedural nature of the meeting minimized substantive impact.