Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas Cabinet – the prime minister and his or her ministers Bills- proposal of Parliament for a new law

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas As you have learnt, all countries are ruled by a government. In a democracy, this government is elected by the people. They decide in an election who their leaders will be.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas After the votes have been counted and rechecked, the leader of the winning party becomes Prime- Minister. He is sworn in by the Governor- General who invites him to form a new government. The leader of the party with the next highest number of seats is appointed as the Leader of the Opposition by the Governor-General.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas The first day of a new Prime Minister is to form a new Cabinet. Its members are usually selected from among members of the Prime Minister’s party in Parliament. Sometimes the Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers who are not members of Parliament. These ministers have to be appointed to the Senate. Cabinet ministers have to be members of either the House of Assembly or of the Senate.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas The Cabinet assists the Prime Minister in carrying out his government’s policies and programmes. Each minister is given a set of duties for which he is responsible. These responsibilities are the portfolios. To help them in performing their duties, Cabinet ministers are assisted by parliamentary Secretaries.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas Every minister is responsible for new laws and important new schemes. These are discussed by the Cabinet before they go to Parliament. Ministers are held responsible for whatever happens in the departments under their portfolios. The Prime Minister must, however, accept full responsibility for all that his government does or neglects to do.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas The Senate has 16 members. After selecting his cabinet, the Prime Minister advises the Governor- General to appoint 12 senators. The other 4 senators are appointed on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. It is their job to discuss and amend Bills that are passed by the House of Assembly.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas They make sure that the new law is clear and precise. Once the Senate has been appointed, the official opening of parliament takes place. During this ceremony, the senators are sworn in and the President and the leader of the Senate are elected.

Parliamentarians in the House of Assembly are also ‘sworn in’ – take an oath to do their duty to their country. N Back Bench The Speaker Clerks to the House Back Bench Front Bench ____________________________________ ____________________________________ _Public______________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ __________ Press and radio ____________________________________ ___________________Gallery____________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ________ Press and radio ‘Floor’ of the House GovernmentOpposition ‘Bar” of the House – MPs only on this side (and clerks) (Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet) (Prime Minister and Ministers) Exit

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas The speaker of the House of Assembly is elected by members of parliament. A Deputy Speaker is also elected during the session. After the proceedings in the Senate and the House of Assembly ends, members of both Houses listen to the Speech from the Throne. Every year the Governor-General opens parliament by reading the Speech from The throne.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas This is prepared for him by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The speech outlines the government’s plans for the coming year. The chief business of the House of Assembly is to discuss and amend Bills. A Bill is introduced and read three times. It is debated and after the third reading, if it is successful, it becomes an act and goes to the Senate for approval.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas The Speaker of the House of Assembly acts as chairman and presides over the House while it is in session. He maintains order and discipline but does not take part in debates. While he carries out his duties, he must not favour any party.

Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas He does not vote unless there is a tie and then he may give a casting vote. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker who presides over the House in his absence. To maintain order, the Speaker may have to ask the Sergeant-at Arms to escort a Member of Parliament out of the House but this seldom occurs.