Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
Raphael Trotman launches book on Parliament
– “A house divided against itself cannot stand”
By Abena Rockcliffe
On Thursday Donald Trotman had the privilege of lauding the good work of his son, Raphael Trotman, as the Speaker of the House launched his book “Parliament in the Republic of Guyana”.
Trotman hands over a copy of his book to Narine.
The book is based on the evolution of democracy in Guyana. It presents an overview of the history of the development of various parliamentary protocols and practices, and the people that shaped them.
In his book, Trotman highlighted aspects of the legal framework that established the systems of governance and decision-making, which have laid the foundation for the practice of parliamentary democracy in Guyana.
In a review of the book, Sir Shridath Ramphal noted that Trotman has rendered Guyana a great service in providing his commentary on Guyana’s Parliament.
Trotman said that the idea to write the book came to him in 2003 when he visited Helsinki, Finland where he was given a book on their Parliament.
He said that he resolved that he would produce something similar for Guyana.
Trotman admitted that for ten years, he was unable to find the time, resolve and courage to complete the task. Trotman thanked the Almighty for giving him the ability to make such strides.
The book is dedicated to former Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narine.
Narine, in expressing his gratitude, spoke extremely well about Trotman and his mannerisms.
Meanwhile, Former Speaker of the House Ralph Rankarran said that such a publication is more than major and is good for Guyana.
Donald Trotman said that Parliament and democracy are in Raphael’s blood. He dubbed yesterday’s event as historical and congratulated his son for the achievement.
He quoted John Milton who said that “A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.”
In the preface, Trotman noted that every effort has been made to avoid analysis and opinion in the book. He however admitted that even with the best effort this was not always maintained.
He said that in the twelve chapters, the research presented traces of the evolution from the earliest known form of Representative Government, the Court of Policy, a Dutch implantation in the 1700’s, to the bequeathed Westminster constitutional construct in 1928 – all the way to the current aberration known as the “Minority Government” of the tenth Parliament – something for which there is no constitutional provision or prescription.
In the book, Trotman quoted the Bible “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”Mark 3:24.
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