That there’s never a dull moment in local politics was proven again by Monday evening’s announcement from Member of Parliament (MP) Rolando Brison (see related story) that he had resigned from United St. Maarten Party (US Party). Mind you, he had been declared political leader just this month, after becoming faction leader in Parliament following last year’s election.
Without being specific, the young MP hinted at his possible joining of a different party by stating, “I intend to move on to other opportunities which will hopefully allow me to continue to serve the public in the same manner as an MP.”
Apart from where he will go, the question is why. Some have suggested he did not think US Party’s proposed slate of candidates was strong enough to get him into office even at the top of the list when voters make an early return to the polls on January 9. One must keep in mind that of the 15 elected representatives most recently voted into the legislature only – now-suspended – United Democrats leader Theo Heyliger earned his seat outright. All the remaining 14 members got in with the help of votes earned by party colleagues.
It would not be the first time either that high-profile candidates move from one party to the next ahead of an election due merely to the electability factor. Former NA leader and current President of Parliament William Marlin had coined the phrase “list shopping” to describe that phenomenon.
Brison did not need to spell out that he would keep his seat and go independent, because that has become the norm. He did promise to continue backing the interim cabinet now being formed as part of the incoming coalition of nine.
By the way, the term of that still-to-be-appointed transitional government is getting shorter by the day, as the newly-elected Parliament will be installed on February 10. The latter makes this entire “you fire me – I fire you” dismissal versus dissolution game between new legislative majorities and outgoing cabinets all the more ridiculous.
