Combined Opposition undermining initial tripartite agreement - Gov’t to nominate Ramkarran as Speaker
Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2012
Source - GINA
Government has reiterated its disappointment in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC’s) “side-stepping” in the tripartite initiative to negotiate the speakership and other matters relating to Parliament, which deliberately undermines the approach that was initially agreed on in December.
Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, who filled in for Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon who is overseas, at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President said that this has been a serious breach early in before the convening of the Parliament.
“The fact that the combined Opposition has only one seat more than the Government should not be construed as a cart blanche to run the National Assembly to the detriment of an elected Government and the people of this nation,” Teixeira said.
Cabinet reiterated that the actions of the combined Opposition in the face of their declared pronouncements during the 2011 elections campaign of bringing in a new political culture and a willingness to work for national unity has been undermined by their recent actions.
Teixeira recalled statements made by APNU’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger to the effect that his Party was willing to work with the PPP/C, win or lose.
Government, on January 9, wrote to the two parliamentary political parties; reminding them of the agreements that were reached in December to name representatives to the tripartite initiative and to reaffirm its interest in meeting.
With regards to the proclamation of the convening of the Tenth Parliament, Teixeira said that it is in keeping with the constitutional mandate and honours the request of the Opposition Parties to postpone the convening in December.
Speakership
“We recognised that the issue of speakership is of extreme importance but the business of the nation; economic growth, political stability, continuation of the pro-poor/pro-growth programmes and in particularly, expansion of the poverty reduction programmes are of the greatest priorities to the Government,” the Presidential Advisor said.
Making references to other minority Governments in the world, she explained that in a Commonwealth Parliament, the ruling Party gets the speakership and with regards to the Speaker, Government has expressed the view that the current Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran is best suited to preside over the Tenth Parliament.
Parliament Speakers are not generally changed unless they have passed on or tender their resignation; at present Ramkarran is Speaker-elect.
“Whoever is the Speaker is expected to be fair and impartial and not be an impediment to Government business… they are expected to fulfill that mandate with an even-hand and Ramkarran has demonstrated this…Government will go to the Parliament to put forward his nomination and vote for him,” she said.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will resume his initial post as Leader of the House; while Teixeira will be the new Chief Whip for the Government.
Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2012
Source - GINA
Government has reiterated its disappointment in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC’s) “side-stepping” in the tripartite initiative to negotiate the speakership and other matters relating to Parliament, which deliberately undermines the approach that was initially agreed on in December.
Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, who filled in for Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon who is overseas, at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President said that this has been a serious breach early in before the convening of the Parliament.
“The fact that the combined Opposition has only one seat more than the Government should not be construed as a cart blanche to run the National Assembly to the detriment of an elected Government and the people of this nation,” Teixeira said.
Cabinet reiterated that the actions of the combined Opposition in the face of their declared pronouncements during the 2011 elections campaign of bringing in a new political culture and a willingness to work for national unity has been undermined by their recent actions.
Teixeira recalled statements made by APNU’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger to the effect that his Party was willing to work with the PPP/C, win or lose.
Government, on January 9, wrote to the two parliamentary political parties; reminding them of the agreements that were reached in December to name representatives to the tripartite initiative and to reaffirm its interest in meeting.
With regards to the proclamation of the convening of the Tenth Parliament, Teixeira said that it is in keeping with the constitutional mandate and honours the request of the Opposition Parties to postpone the convening in December.
Speakership
“We recognised that the issue of speakership is of extreme importance but the business of the nation; economic growth, political stability, continuation of the pro-poor/pro-growth programmes and in particularly, expansion of the poverty reduction programmes are of the greatest priorities to the Government,” the Presidential Advisor said.
Making references to other minority Governments in the world, she explained that in a Commonwealth Parliament, the ruling Party gets the speakership and with regards to the Speaker, Government has expressed the view that the current Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran is best suited to preside over the Tenth Parliament.
Parliament Speakers are not generally changed unless they have passed on or tender their resignation; at present Ramkarran is Speaker-elect.
“Whoever is the Speaker is expected to be fair and impartial and not be an impediment to Government business… they are expected to fulfill that mandate with an even-hand and Ramkarran has demonstrated this…Government will go to the Parliament to put forward his nomination and vote for him,” she said.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will resume his initial post as Leader of the House; while Teixeira will be the new Chief Whip for the Government.
One day before the 10th Parliament is convened by Head of State Donald Ramotar, the Opposition Parties, namely the Alliance for Change and A Partnership for National Unity, will today meet in a last-ditch effort to iron out who will hold the position of Speaker of the House.