TAKING A cursory glance through the history of parliamentary debates since the 1970s, Dessler Smith, a 30-year veteran staff member at Gordon House, highlighted some outstanding legislators over the period.

It is instructive to point out that the Standing Orders, or rules of Parliament, prohibit the verbatim reading of a speech during a debate.

In this regard, many current legislators would fall short of the mark if the Speaker of the House or president of the Senate insisted that the 'letter of the law' should be upheld.

Former parliamentarians, such as the late Michael Manley, Dudley Thompson, David Coore, Carl Marshall and President of the Senate Oswald Harding have all made Smith's list of most eloquent presenters.

"Michael, O my God, he was a world-renown speaker!" said the Hansard editor who described those he selected as a cut above the rest.

"These are parliamentarians who are beyond the surface; they rise above the rest when it comes to debates."

Acceptable standards

Clarke and Coore

Smith says these erudite speakers exemplified the acceptable standards of debates in both the House and Senate.

"They made simple notations, a few lines, and then you find pages upon pages reeling off, as it were from rote, and then they could take it back and summarise backwards."

Carl Marshall, who was appointed Speaker of the House in 1993, received high marks for how he presided over the business of Parliament during his tenure.

According to Smith, Marshall was "a very scholarly, articulate, forthright and classy type of individual".

Another notable member of the House during the late 1980s, Headley Cunningham performed his duties as Speaker with distinction. Smith describes him as a standard-bearer of class. "Anywhere you put him he stands tall."

Harding and Manley

Smith also remembers the late Alva Ross for his firm hand in conducting parliamentary affairs. "Brassy and outgoing, and he was always hoping and trusting. That was his little catch phrase, 'hoping and trusting'."

Claude Clarke, former St Andrew West Rural MP of the late 1980s, was distinguished for his forthrightness and non-partisan approach to national issues.

Smith adds: "He was a principled and very decent politician."

He mentioned outstanding senators, such as Fred Hamaty, Douglas Orane and the late Alfred Rattray, who brought a nationalistic fervour to bear on their parliamentary contributions.

- Edmond Campbell