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UK again calls on Govt. to resume Parliament
– concerned about LGE
The pressure is mounting on Government to resume Parliament, with the British administration yesterday issuing a strong statement.
British Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood
According to the statement issued by the British High Commission in Georgetown, Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, is calling “for the earliest possible resumption of Parliament” as required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter.
“The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter; it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.”
The British Minister also addressed the non-holding of Local Government Elections.
“We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution. The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.”
It is not the first time that the British has publicly commented on elections in Guyana.
There have been ongoing concerns expressed about Local Government Elections
As a matter of fact, for more than a year now, there have been intermittent talks between Government, the Opposition and the Diplomatic community, over the stalemate in the National Assembly.
The UK Govt. says the suspension of Parliament means that “an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold”.
Britain has joined with the US, Canada and the European Union to urge for the holding of early Local Government Elections. The suspension of Parliament by the Donald Ramotar administration late last year has also deeply worried the countries.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s largest Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it is in full agreement with the statement issued by the British High Commission.
“The concerns of the government of the United Kingdom on the continued prorogation of Parliament and the absence of local government elections in Guyana for over 20 years, means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.”
APNU, which controls 26 of the 33-seats majority held by the Opposition, said it has been calling for an end to prorogation and a return to Parliamentary democracy and the holding of local government elections which are constitutionally long overdue.
“The Parliament of Guyana has not met in over six months. This has allowed the Executive to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny of Ministerial behaviour; avoid scrutiny of expenditure; avoid the holding of local government elections.”
APNU noted that the economy has begun to stagnate due to uncertainty.
“There continues to be a marked increase in violent crime, this is a direct result of government Ministers being more concerned with the Peoples Progressive Party General and Regional elections campaign rather than their respective portfolios.”
Facing a no-confidence motion over unauthorised Government spending and outstanding answers to a number of large-scale infrastructural projects, President Ramotar announced late last year that he was exercising his powers to prorogue Parliament. In effect, the suspension halted the no-confidence motion debate but it also angered the Opposition, worsening relations on the political level.
Government is now poised to call early elections, with the political parties already in campaign mode.
The President had said as well that he has communicated with the international community, alerting of the “possibility” of early elections and the desire for observers.
The Head of State said that he prorogued the Parliament to preserve the life of the 10th Parliament so as to provide another opportunity for the National Assembly to address the many issues that are yet to have parliamentary consideration.
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