RUSH HOUR IN PARLIAMENT

Dec 18, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Democracy is not like the Christmas rush. It is never in a hurry.
Democracy is not one of the things that we should fear. What should be feared is fear itself, especially the fear of democracy.
Yesterday, the ruling APNU/AFC was supposed to move a motion to suspend the Standing Orders to facilitate the tabling, debate and passage of three Bills – all in one session of the National Assembly.
As at press time, there were reports seeping in to Kaieteur News that this plan had been aborted. But the damage has already been done. Why the rush? Why the haste? What could have been so compelling to have forced the ruling coalition to race these three Bills through the National Assembly?
The members of the National Assembly were elected by virtue of democratic process. These members represent the people. Attempting to race these pieces of legislation through the Assembly, amounts to an attempt to whiz past the necessary consideration that the democratic process involves.
The National Assembly is an institution of democracy. It is a manifestation of the democratic will of the people. It allows for consideration and debate on legislation and national policy as part of the democratic process.
Democracy in the National Assembly requires that the members must have adequate time to consider legislation and policy; must have adequate time to debate this legislation and in their judgment decide whether to approve of such legislation or policy. This is how democracy is exercised in the National Assembly.
Democracy entails that the people’s representatives should be given adequate time to consider proposed legislation. It makes a mockery of the democratic process and of the duly elected representatives of the people if attempts are made to railroad legislation through the National Assembly.
How can the National Assembly be expected to make considered assessments of legislation and policies if the members are not given adequate time to consider legislation?
APNU/AFC promised change. Not exchange. Not shortchange. Simply change.
If there were reasons why it was necessary to race the three pieces of legislation through the National Assembly, then emergency discussions should have been held, with the Chief Whip of the Opposition providing reasons why the legislation has to be passed immediately.
Once there are valid reasons in the national interest why legislation should be passed, there is no reason why any opposition will want to be seen to be trying to force a national crisis by opposing the rapid passage of legislation.
The public is also entitled to such an explanation, because what goes on in the National Assembly is not a private affair, it is of public interest, and if there were good reasons for rushing the legislation, the public ought to have been advised of those reasons. It is highly contemptuous to attempt to not provide such reasons.
APNU/AFC is going down a slippery slope. It should not be taking Guyana down this road. It should be open and transparent and let the people understand why certain things have to be done. It should not be afraid of letting the opposition know as well, because if the government is dismissive or arrogant towards the opposition, the opposition will gain political capital off of the government’s attitude.
Do not take the people of Guyana for granted. Do not feel that because you have a majority of the votes, people will look beyond your mistakes. Those days are over. The people’s patience is thin. People have demonstrated that they are not afraid of making change.
The majority of Guyanese whose votes were deemed valid voted for change. They need change. Not exchange, not shortchange. And not in the National Assembly.

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