Guyana’s National Assembly has become one of the many institutions in which the citizenry is losing confidence as the years go by. It is no longer being viewed as a forum that is defined by serious, sober, intellectual, rational and respectful debate. Over the past five years, the Parliament journeyed to a dark place where there is clearly no respect for traditions, practices, norms, rules, and conventions which seek to maintain the high standards of parliamentary conduct and the institution itself. The Eleventh Parliament by it’s own action is justify the very strong public view that the interest of the citizens is not being advanced or given first place despite the rhetoric of their elected representatives. This has resulted in a lack of confidence and trust in the ability of the entity to deliver on core Democratic principles such as good governance, transparency, accountability, political integrity, social justice and good ethics. In short, Parliament is slowly though not deliberately descending into the gutter as it prepares to take on a new role and parliamentary culture that promotes secrecy, public indecency, corruption, unconstitutionality, subtle though damaging forms of racial and ethnic disrespect, and party politics over the wellbeing of the citizens. It is now the place where the mighty and majority are not just satisfied with being in control of every aspect of the Parliament including the Speakership, but they must demonstrate their strength by strangling and dehumanizing the minority opposition parliamentary before muzzling and crippling its ability to rightly and adequately represent its constituents.
And what is firstly most worrying about Parliament’s fall from grace is the level of biasness and partisan behaviour of the Speaker of the immediate past and current Parliaments. But Dr Barton Scotland’s tenure is worse than that of Raphael Trotman’s. This Speaker is unfitting for the important job which involves not only maintaining law and order but safeguarding the reputation of the august assembly by demonstrating independence and the ability to compromise where the public’s interest wins over the narrow-minded shenanigans of some politics. His conduct is characterized by arrogance and apparent resentment for the opposition Peoples Progressive Party as well as its politics. He does not create or promote an atmosphere of compromise where both sides of the House are encouraged to resolve their differences amicably and with civility. Instead he appears intrigued by conflict and drama if the Opposition seeks to hold the Government side accountable on matters of public interest involving its misuse of the treasury and public resources. Despite his inexperience in both parliament and politics, he is unwilling to be schooled by the more senior and knowledgeable clerk and Parliamentarians. It’s his way or no way. He is no Speaker, but a pawn of the Government placed in Parliament to shield its representatives from the political missiles and bullets being sent by the Opposition whose armoury is not running out of stock. Unless Dr Scotland strip himself bare of his PNC/APNU/AFC alliances and multi coloured coat, Parliament and its functionality will not improve.
Secondly, a new precedence has been set where the Guyana Police Force can be called into the Parliament to wrestle and assault Parliamentarians who refuse to comply with the dictates of the Speaker. After the junior ranks had their fun assaulting PPP MP Priya Manickchand , manhandling other female MPs and scuffling with some male opposition MPs, the Speaker and Clerk conveniently resurfaces with statements distancing themselves from the dastard acts of the Police. Both denied calling the Police. But someone with authority did and its no prankster or anonymous character. But parliamentary figures and the Police should be sanctioned as there was no breach of peace. We can all agree though despite the narrative of the Government that all of this could have been avoided if they had allowed MP Juan Edghill more time to scrutinize the Ministry of the Presidency and its estimates in behalf of the people of this country. Speaker Scotland could have also adjourned or discontinued the day’s business completely to teach Edghill a lesson, but he liked the defiance and wanted more political juice out of it for the Govt. In the end, the public was the biggest loosed followed by Govt that is rejecting scrutiny because it is corrupt. The PPP and Edghill won handsomely dispute his suspension.
Thirdly, Santa and the Singing Church Lady should be questioned and charged. They made a mockery out of Parliament after breaching its tiers of security. The incident was funny to the Govt and parliamentary executive but no one else was laughing. What if they were terrorists? What if the Opposition Leader or Speaker was attacked. Criminals are looking, and they now know how easy it is to get access to Parliament. The Clerk should be disciplined, and internal security changes made. Santa belongs in the North Pole and not Parliament.
Fourthly, the Budget presented by Minister Winston Jordan is underwhelming to say the least. The Opposition’s scrutiny exposed its weaknesses and shortcomings especially the corruption taking place inside the Govt. What is even more shocking is the fact that its estimates might be under stated or illegal because the US$18M is missing. How could the Speaker disallow a motion to correct an illegality? The opposition should withdraw from the process and move to the Court in order to uphold the law. The denial of this motion is vulgar and President David Granger’s continued defence of corruption is even more vulgar. No reasonable Parliament operates like ours.
Guyanese must demand better from their elected representatives. They must pressure them to not only conduct themselves better during sittings but demonstrate more seriousness in their approach to Parliament. It is not a ghetto or a fish market but its a place where the law is upheld, religious tolerance and respect is show and the personal safety if womenfolk is guaranteed even if a member refuses to take his seat. There is a need for a new political culture that is consistent with the respect shown in mature democracies and assemblies across the world. If no fundamental changes are made the Speaker’s tenure will remain disappointing and disastrous just like the Executive’s term in office so far.
