Lead Editor—Newsgathering
kejan.haynes@guardian.co.tt
As the 12th session of Parliament enters its final stretch before the election is called, Parliamentarians on both sides of the aisle have high hopes but low expectations for a more productive session.
Yesterday was the first day of the new session after Parliament was prorogued earlier this week.
It began with simultaneous sessions being held by the Lower and Upper Houses, without the usual pomp and ceremony of a military parade and an address by the President.
Guardian Media asked several MPs and some Senators outside the Red House yesterday if they expected the session to be more productive, with better behaviour and more cooperation seen on both sides.
“When you say better behaviour, the UNC has always conducted itself in a very responsible manner in the House,” said MP for Couva South, Rudranath Indarsingh.
“When you are dealing with a government that has betrayed the people that has continued to lie and engage in propaganda, the UNC will stand firm as it relates to articulating issues on behalf of citizens of the country.”
When it was pointed out that that rhetoric might be what voters were looking at, especially as the UNC moves to put itself forward as the alternative to the Government, Indarsingh said, “You go back and do the history, do the research. The UNC has always cooperated with this government for legislation in relation to crime fighting and in the interest of the people.”
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal agreed, saying the Opposition had supported the Government on crime legislation but unfortunately, he had not seen rewards from those efforts. He said the session already started on a sour note, with a debate starting immediately with little notice.
“We don’t expect any fundamental changes in the approach of the Government,” Moonilal noted. “This is the opening of the Parliament today, this session; and remarkably they have given one day’s notice to debate a very critical Bill. That to itself speaks to a lack of planning and a lack of respect even.”
Moonilal denounced criticisms that his party only opposed and never put forward solutions or policies.
“Let’s be real. We’ve had over 300 Monday night meetings, we’ve had press conferences every Sunday. We speak at length on policy. We talk night and day on policy. Mrs Persad-Bissessar spoke on 50 plans for health. I speak on policy. The recommendations are there. I challenge anyone to find legislation on crime we did not support.”
On the Government side, Senator and Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne there was little to suggest there would be more bipartisanship.
“We have seen no signs of any such philosophy from the United National Congress. The latest utterances by the Leader of the Opposition should disenchant and discourage any right-thinking citizen,” Dr Browne said.
He chastised Persad-Bissessar for her “fake vaccines” comments.
“Reaching back to the pandemic and really continuing on an approach founded on division and disarray, but hope springs eternal. I can speak for the Government benches and specifically to my role as leader of Government business in the Senate—we will continue to elevate the discourse”
He was supported by San Fernando West MP and former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who said one of the pillars of his tenure as AG was defending in the Privy Council, the use of simple majority bills, simply because he expected voting along party lines.
“I’m pleased that at least the strategy I took as Attorney General was upheld by the privy council and therefore I expect us to do what we can. Whether Mrs Persad-Bissessar will support is probably measured by statements such as fake vaccines. I mean, come on!”
UNC DISSIDENTS
Beyond bipartisan support, even within the UNC there is the need for collaboration. The five “dissidents” Anita Haynes, Rodney Charles, Dinesh Rambally, Dinesh Rambally and Dr Rai Ragbir have all vowed to vote on party lines.
Speaking outside the Red House, Paray said, “The issues of the party remain internal. In the Parliament, we stand as an opposition. I remain solid UNC and I see no reason to vote in any way other than voting to hold the Government to account.”
Cumuto Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir, who broke ranks with his party and voted in favour of the Whistleblower Protection Bill said no matter where he sat in the Parliament, he would work for the people.
“As a lay pastor I tell you, I vote with my heart. I vote with the party and I follow the directions of the chief whip where it’s appropriate,” Ragbir said.
Chief Whip David Lee said he was satisfied he had the support of all his MPs.