And back inside the House, the Speaker, Valerie Woods, had her hands full with parliamentarians who were acting more like preschoolers.
Almost at the very start of the meeting, there was a mean spirited exchange between the Minister of Health and Wellness and the Leader of the Opposition. Shyne Barrow had posed the very same NHI question, but it was met with snarky remarks, and Barrow got personal.
But of course, Minister Bernard didn't take that lying down.
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"Your question member should have been directed to the minister of finance, because NHI comes under the ministry of finance, but member its a wonder you've reached this far, every contribution you make reminds us that you are your father's..."
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader the Opposition
"A point of order Madam Speaker."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"What's the point of order?"
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader the Opposition
"Member should not insult other members, right. We are all adults. I know he looks like he's still in Junior High, but we are all adults."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Minister for Health and Wellness, I recognized, again to complete his answer."
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"You see, he wants to take me down this road, but maybe its him should have found out if he went to Junior High."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Member, I'm going to ask you to take that back."
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"I'll take that back, but Madam Speaker, every contribution the member makes reminds us that he is his father's son - all glitter and no substance. Under the UDP that clinic was being paid $15,000 a month for a duration of 4 years and it did not even have a doctor. In fact, it only had 800 registered members under the UDP. Under this PUP administration, member for Mesop and for the same exact money, it now has almost have 3,000 registered members in the 2 months it has been reopened. Did you hear that? I need to check, because ever since you were slapped in the face you seem a little slow. Let me end by saying this: you love to boasts about grammys and records, let me tell you something you should have been told long ago, nobody cares. In this house all that matters is your record of service and your competence to service and in both you have been found savvy-lacky, so wheel and come again."
