APNU, AFC secret deal shuts out PPP/C from Speaker, Deputy Speaker positions PDF Print E-mail
Written by GINA
Friday, 13 January 2012 01:05
-undermines democratic principles of Commonwealth Parliament
THE secret alliance between the PNCR-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) was today brought to light when the former retracted its nomination of Deborah Backer as Speaker and indicated their support for the latter’s nominee, Raphael Trotman, a former executive member of the PNC, who only a few days ago indicated that he had no interest in being a part of the Tenth Parliament.
Over the past weeks, Government has been speaking out against the apparent “side-stepping” of the two Parliamentary Opposition Parties and going outside of what the initial tripartite agreement that President Donald Ramotar and the leaders of the two Opposition Parties, David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan discussed in December 2011.
This latest action by the combined Opposition, which had earlier pledged to work hand in hand with the Government of the day, has disappointed many Guyanese as it is in total contravention of what a Commonwealth Parliament entails.
Speaking to media operatives after the adjournment of the session, PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira said that the combined Opposition’s coalition to install a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker; taking all the positions in the Parliament, “flies in the face” of all their talk about bringing a new culture of national unity in Guyana.
Charade
Referring to a statement made by AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan that, “without the support of the APNU we could not have had a new speaker…the Tenth Parliament has begun with a new political dispensation and we must work towards tripartite consensus…,” Teixeira said is an example of the charade to which Government, the Parliament and Guyanese as a whole has been subjected.
She noted too, that President Donald Ramotar has gone on record for putting forward the necessary initiatives to find consensus before the commencement of the Tenth Parliament.
“The fact that the APNU and AFC decided that they did have to deal with the duly and democratically elected Government but divvy up the shares amongst themselves is a result of what has happened,” she said.
The new Chief Whip added too that whilst it may be as Ramjattan said, a new dispensation, it is a new dispensation that counters and undermines the democratic principles that is practiced all over the world in a Commonwealth Parliament.
After the PPP/C was declared the winner of the 2011 general and regional elections, President Ramotar reached out to the Parliamentary Opposition; initiating a tripartite approach to get a consensus for the speakership of the Tenth Parliament. However, after December 19, there has been no other consultation but rather the APNU and AFC opted to work together and as a result left the Parliament divided.
Nevertheless, Government has recommitted to the task at hand, which is to work to pass legislation in the interest of the people of Guyana.
‘We have a lot of work to do and not all of it is parliamentary, so we will continue; we have been duly elected by the people of this country and therefore we will continue to work to bring political, economic and social stability and execute programmes on behalf of all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation…today is the beginning of a new Parliament but regrettably it is also the beginning of the APNU-AFC version of what they call partnership,” Teixeira said.
The convening of the Tenth Parliament saw AFC’s Raphael Trotman being elected as Speaker of the House after a vote by division was conducted.
Government’s nominee, Ralph Ramkarran who has had many years of experience and who exemplified all the qualities that a Speaker should possess over the years that he has presided over the Parliament, did not receive the support of the Opposition.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Written by GINA
Friday, 13 January 2012 01:05
-undermines democratic principles of Commonwealth Parliament
THE secret alliance between the PNCR-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) was today brought to light when the former retracted its nomination of Deborah Backer as Speaker and indicated their support for the latter’s nominee, Raphael Trotman, a former executive member of the PNC, who only a few days ago indicated that he had no interest in being a part of the Tenth Parliament.
Over the past weeks, Government has been speaking out against the apparent “side-stepping” of the two Parliamentary Opposition Parties and going outside of what the initial tripartite agreement that President Donald Ramotar and the leaders of the two Opposition Parties, David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan discussed in December 2011.
This latest action by the combined Opposition, which had earlier pledged to work hand in hand with the Government of the day, has disappointed many Guyanese as it is in total contravention of what a Commonwealth Parliament entails.
Speaking to media operatives after the adjournment of the session, PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira said that the combined Opposition’s coalition to install a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker; taking all the positions in the Parliament, “flies in the face” of all their talk about bringing a new culture of national unity in Guyana.
Charade
Referring to a statement made by AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan that, “without the support of the APNU we could not have had a new speaker…the Tenth Parliament has begun with a new political dispensation and we must work towards tripartite consensus…,” Teixeira said is an example of the charade to which Government, the Parliament and Guyanese as a whole has been subjected.
She noted too, that President Donald Ramotar has gone on record for putting forward the necessary initiatives to find consensus before the commencement of the Tenth Parliament.
“The fact that the APNU and AFC decided that they did have to deal with the duly and democratically elected Government but divvy up the shares amongst themselves is a result of what has happened,” she said.
The new Chief Whip added too that whilst it may be as Ramjattan said, a new dispensation, it is a new dispensation that counters and undermines the democratic principles that is practiced all over the world in a Commonwealth Parliament.
After the PPP/C was declared the winner of the 2011 general and regional elections, President Ramotar reached out to the Parliamentary Opposition; initiating a tripartite approach to get a consensus for the speakership of the Tenth Parliament. However, after December 19, there has been no other consultation but rather the APNU and AFC opted to work together and as a result left the Parliament divided.
Nevertheless, Government has recommitted to the task at hand, which is to work to pass legislation in the interest of the people of Guyana.
‘We have a lot of work to do and not all of it is parliamentary, so we will continue; we have been duly elected by the people of this country and therefore we will continue to work to bring political, economic and social stability and execute programmes on behalf of all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation…today is the beginning of a new Parliament but regrettably it is also the beginning of the APNU-AFC version of what they call partnership,” Teixeira said.
The convening of the Tenth Parliament saw AFC’s Raphael Trotman being elected as Speaker of the House after a vote by division was conducted.
Government’s nominee, Ralph Ramkarran who has had many years of experience and who exemplified all the qualities that a Speaker should possess over the years that he has presided over the Parliament, did not receive the support of the Opposition.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Albert Guyanese are tired of paying your salary. I understand your rage.
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