Huge stakes at play in tomorrow’s defining no-confidence motion

Dec 20, 2018 News

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In a few hours time, an unusual debate will take place in the National Assembly, barring some major unforeseen circumstances.
Normally, there would not been much concern except that for this sitting, the Opposition has tabled a no-confidence motion against the Coalition Government, citing corruption, mismanagement and other reasons.
That in itself would have been no big deal except that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), from the Opposition’s benches, is highly confident.

That would be strange as the Opposition does not have the majority. They are one seat short.
It means for the motion to be carried, which would mean early general elections, at least one parliamentarian from the Government side has to vote with the Opposition. If one is absent for whatever reasons, the motion is defeated.
The Government has been taking the motion seriously.
The drama has everyone talking.
Elections are not constitutionally due until 2020. Early elections would be a harsh blow to their legacy.
In late 2014, the Coalition-controlled National Assembly was halted in its tracks after it tabled a no-confidence motion against the PPP/C government at the time.
Rather than face a certain prospect of seeing the no-confidence vote carried in a Opposition-controlled House, President Donald Ramotar decided to prorogue Parliament, in essence a suspension, giving the then government a six-months lifeline and early elections for Guyana.
A new government is in place now, ending the 23-year run of the PPP/C, courtesy of the May 2015 elections.
Publicly, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is hoping for one “conscience” vote from the Coalition Government to carry his motion, which would signal the fall of the government.
However, it is not often that a conscience vote has happened. There were conscience votes for the Abortion Bill and for the Sexual Discrimination Bill.
What is known is that much is at stakes for both sides.
If the motion is carried, fresh elections will have to be held within six months and Parliament dissolved within that time.
If it is not, it will mean that the Coalition has proven what it has been saying- that it remains strong.

In recent days, a number of statements have been coming from both sides, whipping up their supporters.
On Tuesday, the Coalition Government insisted that it remains united, strong and stable.
At the Cabinet meeting Tuesday, “the Coalition re-affirm its patriotic commitment to Guyana and strengthens its resolve to realise the good life for all”, a statement from Government said.
“Though not without challenges and a few mis-steps, the successes of this Coalition Government are numerous and impressive after over three years in office.”
The Coalition Government made it clear that it has restored Guyana’s credibility in the world, protected the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensured that there is an independent judiciary, an autonomous Parliament and other constitutional agencies such as GECOM which are all guaranteed full financial independence.
Jagdeo himself was hyping the no-confidence motion, hinting that he has heard of plans to disrupt the sittings by placing plants.
Yesterday, the Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Opposition, Gail Teixeira, dispatched a letter to the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, in relation to what she calls security concerns for Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly,
She said that they have received information that there will be an attempt to prevent the Members of the Parliamentary Opposition from entering the compound of the Parliament Buildings.
“Our information points to some very ominous plans to physically disrupt the sitting by either invading the Chambers, and, or, creating disruption within the Chambers. The intention is to interrupt the debate and the vote on the No Confidence Motion.”
She said that the matter has been brought to the attention of the Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland.

Another statement from the Guyana Action Party (GAP) said it is in full support of the APNU+AFC Government as it faces the PPP/C’s “naked and futile quest for power”.
Raphael Trotman, Leader of the Alliance of Change (AFC), which is the smaller faction of the Coalition, also issued a separate statement last evening.
“The Alliance For Chance is as concerned as the Peoples Progressive Party about the peace and order on Friday December 21 and has sought assurances from the Minister of Public Security about the security arrangements for the Public Buildings, the Members of Parliament and those who are likely to congregate outside to support either side.
“We have been assured that the security forces are fully mobilised and prepared to ensure that there is no breach of the peace.”
The Vice-President said that they have heard their share of rumours of “diabolical plots” by the PPP, and of moves to disrupt the House when the vote on the Motion fails.
“We have cautioned our MPs to be vigilant even before and during the debate and ask our supporters to be on the lookout for agent provocateurs who we understand will try to infiltrate their numbers and cause confusion. For our democracy to prevail we must respect each other’s views and we beseech the PPP to accept the vote.”
Trotman also criticized what he says is bad timing of the motion when President David Granger announced that he was seeking medical attention and needed the nation’s support.
“The PPP has to understand that thousands see this as a cowardly attack on the President and are rightly outraged. The budget presented the best opportunity for a debate on the policies and programmes of the government and it was passed without any dissent by the PPP, so this Motion is at best superfluous, and vexatious and at worse, a cowardly manoeuvre against the President, and should be withdrawn.”

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