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Speaker Laura and The Learning Curve
posted (January 20, 2017)
So, this is just one more responsibility which Longsworth has to manage along with the very steep learning curve in parliamentary procedure and house politics.

So, how is she handling it? That's what we asked today:

Hon. Laura Longsworth - Speaker of the House
"It was interesting, you had the gallery there, and there I am in the middle, trying to observe and understand what's going across the floor, because what we see on TV is one thing, and there is actual interaction across the floor. So, my first day had to do with paying keen attention to the entire interaction, paying keen attention to what I need to do to maintain order, keeping in mind the Standing Orders, and wondering why people don't follow the Standing Orders."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Often times, a major criticism of the House is the way it's run and the way how Elected Members tend to have these meetings devolve into a back-and-forth, a name-calling, and finger pointing session. Have you observed that, and do you have ideas on how you will keep them in line?"

Hon. Laura Longsworth
"We have all observe that, and I think I got about 300 text messages about returning decorum to the House. I think that the community has to continue to insist that the House maintains a certain level of decorum. And, what I tend to do is to use these rules that are there. There are strict guidelines that exist, but we also need to remember that there are 30-31 people in there. Everybody, wants to have a say because they are elected members, and they have their constituents that they represent. So, they have to make a good showing, for the TV, and for the people they serve, but it is a bigger thing than that. I think it is an opportunity for the elected members to really speak to the issues that are affecting the community, and maybe, perhaps, who knows, maybe over time, we can reduce the noise, so that the business of the house can get more preference."

Daniel Ortiz
"Do you feel any kind of disquiet about the responsibilities, the roles and the amount of work involved?"

Hon. Laura Longsworth
"Well, yes, actually. I was quite surprised to find out that there is quite - the Legislature has a responsibility to really work with other groups, not only locally, but Central America, and internationally to advance a number of issues for the country. And so, to answer your question, I feel like I'm running to catch up with everything, but it's all good."

Reporter
"Did you seek advice from any of your predecessors?"

Hon. Laura Longsworth
"Everybody has asked me that. Yes, I had a wonderful opportunity to be tutored by Mr. Peyrefitte, and when we spoke. He spoke, he promised that he would give me everything. So, the worst case scenario, the best case scenario, and of course, I have the good example of the President of the Senate, who does a very good job in the Senate, and I personally think Mr. Peyrefitte was an awesome speaker, despite what occurred in the House."

Longsworth told us that she would want to have a sit down with the entire press in Belize to discuss more accurate reporting on House meetings.

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