DISTINGUISHED former Guyanese Diplomat, Dr Barton Scotland, was appointed unopposed as Speaker of the National Assembly during the convening of the historic l1th Parliament, yesterday.Nominated by Government’s Chief Whip Ms Amna Ali, who is also Minister of Social Cohesion, and seconded by Mrs. Cathy Hughes, Minister of Tourism, Dr Scotland’s appointment as the eighth Speaker comes as a fulfilment of popular expectation.

Upon acceding to the highly responsible Speaker’s position, Dr Scotland declared that the election presented an opportunity (for all) to join and work together.
“By electing me Speaker, you have presented me with the opportunity to join with you in fulfilling the legislative programme. I invite you to let us work together to that end and may our efforts be crowned with success.”
Meanwhile, President David Granger, in his address at the opening of the 11th session, congratulated the new Speaker.
“He is a public servant of professional eminence, academic experience and unquestionable allegiance to our country. He will add lustre to the highest legislative forum in our land as the Speaker of this Assembly,” President Granger said.

Dr Scotland is a legal luminary who has served with distinction in several Diplomatic missions. He also led the Department of International Economic Co-operation during Desmond Hoyte’s presidency. He also served as a Commissioner on the CARICOM Competition Commission which was launched in 2008, later becoming its Chairman.
In his private practice, he was involved in the areas of Natural Resources and Investment Law and International law.

True to the Cummingsburg Accord, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had agreed that the Speaker of the House must come from Civil Society, and to this end, Dr Scotland is not only its realisation, but one of great eminence.
Dr Scotland follows on the heels of Mr Raphael Trotman, who was Speaker of the House during the 2011-2015 period. Others who served in this capacity, dating back to 1953, include: Sir Eustace Woolford (O.B.E., Q.C.) 1953-1957; Sir Donald Jackson (K.B.) 1957-1967; Mr. Rahman Gajraj (C.B.E., J.P.) 1961-1964; Mr Aubrey Alleyne 1964-1967; Mr Rahman Gajraj (C.B.E., J.P.) 1968-1970; Mr Sase Narain (O.R. S.C., J.P.) 1971-1992; Mr Derek Chunilall (O.R. C.C.H., S.C.,J.P.) 1992-2000; Mrs Clarissa Riehl (ag) Oct. 15, 2000 – Oct. 23, 2000; Mr Martin Zephyr 200-2001; Mr Ralph Ramkaran 2001 – 2011.
The appointment of the Deputy Speaker was not realised yesterday. Absent from yesterday’s ceremonial opening was the Opposition PPP/C.