Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir says independent senators do not conform to a party line and vote according to their conscience.
He was speaking to journalists after the conclusion of the independent senators' retreat at the Kapok Hotel, St Clair, yesterday.
Mahabir responded to the question as to whether it was possible to be entirely independent in a parliamentary system where there were two dominant parties, and what were the challenges of being an independent senator.
Mahabir said, “Because it’s nine, we're not one whole bench, we're nine independent republics under a loose federation.
“And as independent republics we do not conform to a party line, we search our conscience.
“So we always give what is known as a conscience vote on what is in my opinion in the public interest.
“Now you're in the Senate, your responsibility as an independent senator is not to a political party, your responsibility is to the entire 41 constituencies in T&T.”
He said each independent senator represented what he or she thought was in the best interests of all the population in T&T.
Mahabir said the independent senator and the independent bench in T&T were unique in the Commonwealth.
He said the framers of the Republican constitution in their wisdom held the view that from amongst individuals in the society who had distinguished themselves in certain fields of endeavour, the President would draw individuals so that a variety of perspectives on bills brought before the House would be had, which should aid in efficient law making in the public interest.
Also at the table were the other independent senators, Jennifer Raffoul, Melissa Ramkissoon, Taurel Shrikissoon, Sophia Chote SC, Paul Richards, Stephen Creese and David Small.