MP Doran calls out Tackling’s “condescending behavior”

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Egbert Doran sharply criticized Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling in Parliament, accusing her of condescending behavior during exchanges with MPs and warning that such an approach does nothing to move St. Maarten forward.

Doran made the remarks after Tackling responded to questions concerning military-style training and the proposed tourist police. The MP said he believed the Minister had confused his position with proposals raised by other members and maintained that he had repeatedly been clear about the type of military training he was referring to.

He stressed that he was not speaking about the Social Formation Program, but about a form of basic military training for young adults that, in his view, could also provide education, technical skills and other forms of personal development Doran said he accepted that the Minister may disagree with his proposal, but took issue with the manner in which she addressed the matter.

“I realized that my response was a little bit more spicy than MP Roseburg, who asked the same exact question about them being armed, which is fine. I’m not in the dream team. It’s fine. I’m not in the coalition,” Doran said.

He then turned directly to Tackling’s tone.

“This condescending behavior that the Minister has just displayed is the exact reason why this country will not move forward with those type of behaviors,” Doran said.

He stressed that disagreements between Government and opposition members should not prevent both sides from working toward solutions.

“At the end of the day, Madam Chair, when we go down, all of us go down. St. Maarten is at a crossroads. We need to tackle certain things,” Doran said.

The MP reminded Parliament that elected members have a responsibility to question Government and put forward proposals, even when Ministers disagree with them.

“I’m an elected Member of Parliament. The Minister was appointed. Maybe she’ll be elected in the next election. We’ll have to see when that comes,” Doran said.

He added that his questions and proposals are intended to find solutions rather than simply create political confrontation.

“Reasoning my points is always to come to a solution,” he said.

Doran ultimately agreed with the Chair that the meeting was not the appropriate setting for a broader political debate, but said he hoped the Minister would reconsider how she responds to MPs.

“I do hope that somehow a light will shine in the Minister’s mind to realize that we are all on the same team to make St. Maarten better,” Doran said.

The exchange continued later when Tackling herself complained about what she described as condescension and disrespect directed toward her by the National Alliance faction while she was answering Parliament.

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