House Speaker Trotman downplays conflict of interest concerns; says some AFC MPs being wooed
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Monday, 23 January 2012 10:30
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman on Monday shrugged off concerns that being his Alliance For Change’s (AFC) Representative of the List appears to be a major conflict of interest, saying it might be part of moves by some AFC parliamentarians to cross the floor.
Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran, writing in the weekend Mirror newspaper, argued that Trotman might “find great difficulty in publicly reconciling the position of Speaker with those of Leader and List Representative of the AFC.”
“The Speaker cannot, without any justification, wear the Party Leader’s and List Representative’s hat in the morning, deciding party strategy in Parliament, and the Speaker’s hat in the afternoon, impartially presiding over the implementation of that strategy in the face of opposition to it,” added Ramkarran.
But Trotman on Monday told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com ) “it is not an issue and will be dealt with by the party if and when it ever becomes an issue, it’s just a lot of fluff.” He noted that AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan is the Deputy Representative of the List.
The AFC Leader, who has already told the privately-owned Stabroek News that he would not be contesting re-election to that post, suggested that Ramkarran’s concerns might be part of a grand scheme by the PPP to woo a number of AFC members and remove him (Trotman) from being a stumbling block.
“There is really a grand scheme afoot to have some members of the AFC cross the floor and there is great concern about what Trotman will do and so this could very well be an attempt to disarm me or dislodge me as Representative beforehand,” Trotman said. “It’s an attempt to get rid of me because of other machinations afoot.” He did not say to which party the AFC MPs could be going.
For his part, Ramkarran observed that Speakers- usually identified with governing parties- are expected to relinquish leading political roles or suppress or not publicise any overtly partisan activities. “However, unique circumstances now arise from a novel situation. Mr. Trotman is not merely identified with the AFC as a leading figure or an executive member.
Ramkarran, himself, has publicly campaigned in previous elections while going on to become Speaker of the 65-seat National Assembly. At the same time, he has been one of the senior leaders of the governing Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).
While the AFC has always stridently opposed the recall legislation that had been agreed to by the then main opposition Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the PPPC, Trotman said it was the only weapon available if persons decide to cross the floor.
“In principle, we are against it but in this 10th parliament, the recall legislation will be the whips’ most powerful tool to ensure parliamentary discipline,” he said.
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Monday, 23 January 2012 10:30
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman on Monday shrugged off concerns that being his Alliance For Change’s (AFC) Representative of the List appears to be a major conflict of interest, saying it might be part of moves by some AFC parliamentarians to cross the floor.
Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran, writing in the weekend Mirror newspaper, argued that Trotman might “find great difficulty in publicly reconciling the position of Speaker with those of Leader and List Representative of the AFC.”
“The Speaker cannot, without any justification, wear the Party Leader’s and List Representative’s hat in the morning, deciding party strategy in Parliament, and the Speaker’s hat in the afternoon, impartially presiding over the implementation of that strategy in the face of opposition to it,” added Ramkarran.
But Trotman on Monday told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com ) “it is not an issue and will be dealt with by the party if and when it ever becomes an issue, it’s just a lot of fluff.” He noted that AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan is the Deputy Representative of the List.
The AFC Leader, who has already told the privately-owned Stabroek News that he would not be contesting re-election to that post, suggested that Ramkarran’s concerns might be part of a grand scheme by the PPP to woo a number of AFC members and remove him (Trotman) from being a stumbling block.
“There is really a grand scheme afoot to have some members of the AFC cross the floor and there is great concern about what Trotman will do and so this could very well be an attempt to disarm me or dislodge me as Representative beforehand,” Trotman said. “It’s an attempt to get rid of me because of other machinations afoot.” He did not say to which party the AFC MPs could be going.
For his part, Ramkarran observed that Speakers- usually identified with governing parties- are expected to relinquish leading political roles or suppress or not publicise any overtly partisan activities. “However, unique circumstances now arise from a novel situation. Mr. Trotman is not merely identified with the AFC as a leading figure or an executive member.
Ramkarran, himself, has publicly campaigned in previous elections while going on to become Speaker of the 65-seat National Assembly. At the same time, he has been one of the senior leaders of the governing Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).
While the AFC has always stridently opposed the recall legislation that had been agreed to by the then main opposition Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the PPPC, Trotman said it was the only weapon available if persons decide to cross the floor.
“In principle, we are against it but in this 10th parliament, the recall legislation will be the whips’ most powerful tool to ensure parliamentary discipline,” he said.
