Countrymen and women, loyalists and opponents,
I hope that this will be the last time I am compelled to write about MPs before the current parliament is dissolved. But last week the MPs really got me angry with their demand on me to set up some committee to look into their salaries. On this they agreed ? very unusually. Yes, if it is money for their pockets and loans for their cars our MPs will agree and reach a consensus with very little debate or controversy. On all other issues ? those that are very important to the people of Sikaman ? our MPs will squabble needlessly, argue endlessly and walk out of the chamber arrogantly.

When the issue of their conditions of service was raised they all jumped in to make one contribution or another. They accuse me of flouting a constitutional provision to set up a committee to decide on their salaries, end of service benefits, allowances and all the other financial goodies that come with being an ?honourable?. I might have flouted the constitution. I agree that there has been an anomaly somewhere. There?s been an omission on my part.