PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament Darryl York delivered a fiery intervention in Parliament on Monday, accusing the government of applying integrity rules selectively while allowing political convenience to dictate accountability.
During a tense parliamentary session focused on allegations surrounding the Minister of VSA, York argued that the country was witnessing “rule for one, rule for all” politics, in which integrity concerns become important only when coalition relationships break down.
York took direct aim at Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, saying the Prime Minister criticized the Minister of VSA for making allegations without proof, only to later do the same himself.
“The Prime Minister is doing the exact same thing he accused Minister Brug of doing,” York said on the floor of Parliament. “Lying allegations irresponsibly without proof.”
The MP also challenged claims that the Minister of VSA had improperly involved himself in the Mental Health Facility project, arguing that Parliament had previously been told the VSA Minister would serve as the contact person for the project.
York referenced prior parliamentary meetings, timestamps, and earlier discussions in which the Minister openly answered questions regarding project schedules, technical assistance, and consultancy arrangements without objection from coalition members at the time.
“So, there’s all this talk about integrity,” York stated. “Is it integrity when it’s convenient or is it integrity at all times?”
Throughout his contribution, York repeatedly emphasized that he did not fully defend the actions of the Minister of VSA. However, he insisted that standards must apply equally across government.
“I don’t agree with what the Minister did,” he said. “But rule for one, rule for all.”
The MP further questioned whether members connected to URSM’s board had received contracts or assignments through the Prime Minister’s Cabinet and asked whether proper procedures, tenders, or vacancy processes had been followed.
He also broadened his criticism of what he described as government dysfunction and misplaced priorities, pointing to unresolved national issues, including infrastructure concerns, traffic congestion, vacancies within government departments, utility matters, civil servant issues, and delayed public measures.
“Council of Ministers are coming to Parliament to solve a Council of Ministers problem,” York said, arguing that Parliament was spending hours debating coalition disputes while the country faces pressing social and economic challenges.
The session itself reflected the growing political tension, with MPs interrupting proceedings to highlight real-time public frustrations, including heavy traffic in Simpson Bay caused by tree-cutting operations during the meeting.
In his closing remarks, York warned against what he described as a political culture of selectively weaponizing integrity concerns.
“Seemingly that’s the modus operandi right now,” he said. “You step out of line; I will use my back pocket against you.”
The parliamentary debate comes amid escalating tensions within the coalition and reports of possible political action against the Minister of VSA in the days ahead.