Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Backer’s resignation a ‘serious blow’
…new Deputy Speaker to again come from Opposition benches – Granger
The resignation of Deborah Backer, from Parliament and not the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) as was inadvertently reported yesterday by this publication; is being seen as a serious blow to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), of which the PNCR is the largest faction.
Deborah Backer
This is according to Leader of both the PNCR and APNU, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, who yesterday confirmed the resignation and said too that a replacement has not yet been formally identified.
The resignation took effect yesterday, according to Granger, who said that he received the letter on Thursday last and a copy was forwarded to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman.
Backer was the Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister and also served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Granger said that the coalition is yet to formally decide on who they would nominate to be elected as Deputy Speaker, only to say that it would be from the Opposition benches.
Government has continuously lamented this position, arguing that it is a contravention for the governing party to be given the position of Speaker and the Opposition was only entitled to the position of Deputy Speaker.
Prior to Backer’s resignation, both portfolios were held by ranks in the Opposition and according to Granger, this status quo will continue.
Meanwhile, asked about who will assume the portfolio of Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Granger said he has some formal training in international relations along with Member of Parliament, Africo Selman, and as such in the meantime the two of them will shoulder the responsibility of the portfolio.
As it relates to shifts in the seating arrangement in Parliament, given that Backer was a front bencher, Granger said that Ronald Bulkan, who is the Shadow Minister with responsibility for Local Government and Regional Development will be promoted and moved to the front line in the Parliamentary rank and file.
Granger said that Backer did not indicate any role for herself as it relates to her future and the party.
As it relates to her replacement, Granger reminded that Backer held a seat in Parliament on behalf of the PNCR and as such her replacement would have to come from that party.
“Her seat is a PNCR seat, but she had not indicated a role (in the party)…she does not hold an executive position in the party hierarchy at this point in time,” said Granger.
APNU’s Africo Selman
As it relates to the replacement, he said that one has not been identified as yet. “We have a caucus with the party leaders and a replacement would be nominated.”
This publication understands that it is the former Chairman of the PNCR, ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop, who ultimately makes the decision on her replacement, as he is the representative of the list of candidates.
Granger did not disclose the shortlist of persons being assessed for the position saying that it would be prejudicial, “as only one can be selected.”
Meanwhile, in giving his take on the resignation of Backer, the Opposition leader said that “it is a serious blow, she was respected.”
Granger divulged to the media that Backer was his main advisor on Standing Orders, which are the rules and procedures of Parliament.
He described her as an industrious and very careful researcher, a good lawyer and a good political worker.
“She will be greatly missed and we hope she recovers from her present illness and be able to rejoin us in another capacity.”
Asked about the nature of her illness, Granger said that it was not for him to disclose and further, he was not informed of it.
He said that in her resignation letter, Backer did not identify what her illness was.
What he did say is, “I know she is receiving a regimen of treatment.”
Backer fell ill in the latter part of last year and had to be hospitalized locally after which she was flown to a Florida Hospital.
Backer, was the serving Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, is also a well known Attorney-at-Law.
She obtained her Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad in 1983 and a Bachelor of Law from the University of the West Indies in 1981.
APNU’s Ronald Bulkan
Backer is a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Vice-Chairman of the Peoples National Congress Reform.
She has been a Parliamentarian since 1997 and had also served on the Georgetown City Council in 1994.
Backer is also a serving member of a number of important organisations such as the Lions Club International and is currently an organising member of the Women’s Millennium Caucus.
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