This paper seeks to fill a gap in the scholarly literature by examining the operation of the principle of responsible government in the Commonwealth Caribbean both in relation to the prorogation of parliament and parliament’s ability to hold the government to account by means of a motion of no confidence. It identifies a number of instances of the prorogation of parliament that have occurred in the post-independence era which were incompatible with the principle of responsible government because they were intended to avoid the government being held to account by parliament. It also examines they ways in which an incumbent government might seek to frustrate motions of no confidence and how the courts and other key constitutional actors should respond in such circumstances.
O'Brien, Derek
School of Law
Year of publication: 2022Date of RADAR deposit: 2021-11-05