MP’s must carry out duties without fear or favour – British envoy

No-confidence vote

…urges calm, expects free and fair elections

By Jarryl Bryan

The United Kingdom’s High Commission in Guyana is urging calm on all sides of the political spectrum following the Government’s defeat at the hands of a no-confidence vote while also observing that the Constitution was followed, and the results should now be respected.
In a statement following the historic vote, British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn noted the importance of the results being respected. Quinn also spoke of the need for parliamentarians not being influenced or intimidated.
“The democratic process as laid out in the Constitution has been followed.  It is important that everyone now respect the results.  Members of Parliament must be allowed to undertake their constitutionally mandated roles in the absence of fear or favour,” Quinn stated.
Indeed, former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud had complained of threats he received after his conscious vote ensured the passage of the No-confidence Motion which crumbled the Government.
With the passage of the motion, it means that General and Regional Elections must be called within three months. Quinn was optimistic that the upcoming elections would feature campaigns focused on the issues.
“Maintaining the fundamental tenets of democracy is paramount to us all and whilst everyone has the right to protest this must be peaceful,” Quinn said. “We urge calm on all sides and look forward to a free and fair election and a campaign fought on the issues that confront Guyana and its future development.”
On Friday evening, the No-confidence Motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) against the Government succeeded when Persaud broke rank and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.
A total of 10 MPs had previously debated the motion, but when a vote of division was called, Persaud’s vote changed the numbers to 33 versus his colleagues’ 32 votes against the motion.
While Persaud’s former coalition colleagues have complained about being “betrayed” by the vote, the parliamentary Opposition has thrown its support behind the MPs right to vote in whichever direction his conscience leads him. Persaud has since left the country.
With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”
Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”