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An
animated Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday gesticulates while
having a meal with Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner at Crowne
Plaza in Port-of-Spain yesterday.
Members of the Opposition blanked the cocktail reception
which was held in the Rotunda of the Red House after yesterday’s
ceremonial opening of Parliament, opting, instead, for lunch
at the Wrightson Road hotel. Photo: Andre Alexander
The
Opposition UNC, led by Basdeo Panday, took charge of the
House of Representatives in a heated start yesterday, firing
off several volleys against the PNM administration and House
Speaker Barendra Sinanan.
The very vocal charge during the convening of the Ninth
Parliament was led by UNC chief whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj
and UNC leader Panday, both back in the Parliament after
absences (for different reasons).
Maharaj—back in the UNC since last year, sitting yesterday
at Panday’s right hand—has returned full circle
to the Opposition spotlight after falling out with the UNC
in 2001 and contributing to its poliical demise from government.
Panday gave up the post of Opposition Leader and stepped
down from his Couva North seat last year, because of a court
verdict on an integrity matter which was later quashed.
Both were back at the helm of the UNC yesterday, and with
several newcomers—including Panday’s daughter
Mikela, Jack Warner and Vasant Bharat—in tow on the
Opposition bench, the UNC stirred up the House from the
start.
On the first matter—election of a House Speaker—Maharaj
immediately registered the UNC’s protest against lack
of consultation by Government.
No other proposal
Maharaj said a Speaker must be impartial, and that the Prime
Minister ought to have held consultations on the issue so
the public could see that justice was being done.
However, PNM’s Leader of Government Business Colm Imbert
proceeded to propose Sinanan for the post.
This was seconded by PNM’s Mustapha Abdul Hamid.
Sinanan was pronounced as duly elected by the Clerk of the
House, since no one else was proposed.
The UNC did not protest at the election of deputy Speaker
Penny Beckles.
But Opposition MPs underscored their protest against Sinanan
by refusing to shake his hand after they took the oath of
office.
PNM MPs, who took the oath first, were all directed by the
clerk to shake the Speaker’s hand (which they all did).
After taking the oath, UNC MPs, however, moved immediately
back to their seats, turning their backs to Sinanan.
Only MPs Nizam Baksh and new MP Winston Peters shook Sinanan’s
hand in reflex action after the clerk pointed in his direction.
UNC freshmen Mikela Panday and Bharath nodded in Sinanan’s
direction. But that was the only acknowledgement he received.
The next issue arose when PNM’s Imbert called for the
House to adjourn to a date to be fixed.
“No,
no, No!” came the voices of Panday, Maharaj and other
UNC MPs.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning then attempted to make a
statement (to which Maharaj also objected).
Manning said if there had been a change in Speaker, there
would have been consultation. But he didn’t think the
need arose.
“Crap!
Nonsense!” Panday interjected.
Manning noted that although Government usually had a honeymoon
period, the Opposition was against this.
“We
say to the Opposition that Government is ready, willing
and able to discharge its responsibilities,” Manning
added.
“So
are we!” Panday shot in.
Manning said he was welcoming back those “who had been
here before,” although he said he didn’t expect
to see some back.
He assured the UNC that the PNM didn’t think it had
a monopoly on knowledge and would accept advice.
“...And
then ignore it!” Panday put in.
Manning said Government would cull from any input to make
the best policy decisions.
“Where
is the legislative agenda?!” Panday then demanded.
The Opposition’s official response to Manning, however,
came from Maharaj, who said there was no reason why there
should not have been consultation with the Opposition on
the Speaker.
He said Manning had no excuse on the situation, yet still
made “empty promises” to seek consultation on
other matters.
Maharaj, who asked if Manning had not been listening to
the advice of the President to MPs, said the Opposition
had not received any Order Paper.
Maharaj called on Manning and Sinanan to explain why his
motion on crime was not being entertained on the agenda.
Sinanan told Maharaj to see him in his chambers.
That met with loud protest from the UNC bench, prompting
Sinanan to bark out calls for order—the note on which
the House adjourned.
UNC MPs have filed more than 12 questions and motions for
debate.
The 15 UNC MPs also blanked the reception in the Parliament
rotunda to which the Speaker invited guests.
After that reception, the PNM team was treated to lunch
at the Prime Minister’s new residence.
A PNM spokesman indicated Parliament would resume early
in the new year. (GA)
BILLS
ON THE AGENDA
•
Advance Passenger Information Bill
•
International Child Abduction Bill
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