Manickchand/ Sharma episode a “black eye” of shame

Apr 21, 2014 News

MPs’ behaviour leaves much room for improvement – Speaker

The National Budget 2014 has been passed in the National Assembly after two weeks of debates and consideration of the estimates. All was not smooth with the constant hecklings, tempers flaring, protest action and of course the Opposition adjusting the budget from $220B to $182B.
With all this, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, was tasked with maintaining order, guiding the debates and chairing the Committee of Supply. There were instances where he was forced to refer to the Hansards, caution Parliamentarians and adjourn the sittings of Parliament.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman1

During a recent interview with this publication, Trotman said the behaviour of Parliamentarians during the debates was not the best but certainly not the worst he has seen. He emphasized there is room for improvement all around.
At the beginning of the debates, Trotman had requested Parliamentarians to be cognizant that the debates were being aired live.
“Our young people must see us doing our best for them and setting the best examples for them. The National Assembly is supposed to represent the best administrative minds in the country and I have no doubt that we do, but yet fail to display it on many occasions,” Trotman said.
Nonetheless, he feels the debates were good and robust. The debates allowed the populace the opportunity to see how their elected officials behave and conduct their business. In addition, the engagements could serve as a guide for making decisions on whom the future Government would be.
According to Trotman, the debates presented several defining moments for the Tenth Parliament, and he pointed to the opinion he had to give on the right of the National Assembly to amend a budget.
“I believe that the independence and authority of the National Assembly has to be preserved at all cost. Speakers have an almost sacred duty to protect the institution of Parliament and in the same way my predecessors discharged that duty, I feel it is mine also until I pass the mantle of responsibility to the next Speaker,” he said.
Another defining moment was the (Minister of Education) Priya Manickchand/Jaipaul Sharma episode.
He said, “That episode gave the National Assembly a “black eye” of shame and all of us involved in it, most especially me, I have to take responsibility for what happened.”
Trotman related that he had believed everything had been resolved satisfactorily following a meeting and the subsequent resignation of Mr. Sharma. As such, he changed his decision of barring Manickchand from speaking.
“It turned out that my belief was misplaced and mistaken and the result was a bad episode but still a good lesson learnt overall about discipline, honour and human nature,” he added.
The third defining moment was the completion of the Committee of Supply where Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance had to report.
“This moment I call the ‘hand over/take over’. I certainly was bracing for an acute tension and upheaval in the House. But, in the end the Minister adopted the proposed amendments of the Committee of Supply as his own and amended the budget accordingly,” he said.
With all the drama, the Speaker is expected to favour no one side.
“I know I’m doing my job when both sides say I’m impartial. It’s a narrow line to follow,” he added.
However, after the Manickchand/ Sharma episode it became difficult to restrain members in their comments.
“I was tested and challenged by members on both sides as a result. In a manner of speaking, my ability to command the respect of the entire House was diminished because members felt that I had been too lenient,” Trotman lamented.