PM tables Constitutional Amendment on party defections

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has tabled a Constitution (Amendment) Bill that would require Members of Parliament elected on a party ticket to vacate their seats if they formally change political allegiance.

The measure, debated during the Second Sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, addresses what the Prime Minister described as “mandate integrity”, applying to MPs who resign from their party, are expelled, or cross the floor to another political alignment after being elected.

Mottley stressed that the proposed amendment does not restrict how MPs vote, prevent dissent, or silence criticism of their parties or Cabinet. Instead, she said, it deals specifically with a formal change in party affiliation following an election.

“At its core, it basically says that if the political alignment under which you were elected changes fundamentally, the democratic response is to return that question to the electorate. Go back to the voters,” she told the House.

Under the proposed framework, notice of a member’s resignation, expulsion or defection would be submitted to the Speaker by the Leader of Government Business or the Leader of Opposition Business, as applicable. The Speaker would then make a declaration at the next sitting.

In cases of resignation or expulsion, the MP would have 14 days to challenge the matter in court before any vacancy takes effect.

The Prime Minister said the amendment is intended to strengthen democratic accountability, support stability in governance and provide a clear constitutional process for resolving political disputes.

She also noted that similar anti-defection provisions exist in more than 40 countries, including several Commonwealth jurisdictions.