Balcombe is House Speaker and John is Deputy Speaker

From left: Screenshots of Mr. Jemalie John and Mrs. Ronnia Durham-Balcombe from the Agency for Public Information’s (API) livestream.

By Admin. Updated 4:34 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Two attorneys have been appointed to fulfill the speakership roles of the House of Assembly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Mrs. Ronnia Durham-Balcombe, wife of former New Democratic Party candidate for North Central Windward – Cameron “Dinky” Balcombe has been elected Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Her appointment took place moments ago as the first session of the twelfth Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) opened today (December 23), just under a month after the November 27 General Election where the New Democratic Party rose to power with a 14-1 majority.

She read the Declaration of Qualification, and took the Oath of Allegiance, and the Oath for Due Execution of Office.

The speaker who is elected from among the members of the House oversees the conduct of the House. The Speaker’s powers are enshrined in the Standing Orders of the House.

Here is a publication from the House of Assembly outlining some of the constitutional arrangements establishing the Speaker of the House of Assembly:

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly is Senator Mr. Jemalie John.

The deputy speaker fulfills the role of the speaker when the speaker is on break or not present in the House during debates.

He also read the Declaration of Qualification, and took the Oath of Allegiance, and the Oath for Due Execution of Office.

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