SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland, was forced to intervene yesterday in a heated exchange between the two sides of the House over what could only be seen as “cat and mouse” rhetoric. During his budget presentation, Opposition PPP/C MP Dharamkumar Seeraj, speaking on uncertainties and expectations which existed in the last Parliament, took a jab at the Cummingsburg Accord, which is the binding document between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) parties.
“The Cummingsburg Accord comes to mind readily, where the expectations of the AFC and the APNU were transformed into an accord… between parties which weren’t too comfortable with one another,” Seeraj said.
“Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister, Hon Mr Nagamootoo would be the first one to say that there are some aspects of the Cummingsburg Accord that were thrown out the window,” the Opposition MP continued.

He went on to say that the Prime Minister “had high expectations of chairing the Cabinet, had high expectations to have the portfolio of agriculture under his purview, and he was very disappointed, Mr Speaker, because ‘Mighty-Joe’ would not have any of that.”
“The Honourable Prime Minister, instead of chairing the Cabinet, I think he ended up chairing NCN [National Communications Network] and GINA [Government Information Agency], but he’s still chairing Mr Speaker,” Seeraj added.
Amidst great noise from the Opposition side of the House, PM Nagamootoo was prompted to rise in the House to denounce the statements made by Seeraj as a violation of Standing Order 41.
“I think a Member of Parliament ought not to utter words or say things that are demeaning to other members of the Parliament. And what he’s trying to do, is to try to speak for the Hon Prime Minister… not to speak for himself,” Nagamootoo said in the House.
“He is precluded under the Standing Order from saying things that constitute any insulting [remarks],” Nagamootoo said amid Opposition heckling that he is “thin-skinned.”
Since the beginning of the budget debate, sounds of “meow” have emanated from the Opposition whenever he speaks. This new culture came out of statements from a lone Opposition MP that since Mr Nagamootoo left the PPP/C and joined the AFC, and later the APNU+AFC, he has been reduced from a “Bengal tiger” to a “pussycat.”
“Not only am I thick-skinned,” Nagamootoo reassured. “I can say that… I don’t mind being a cat because it’s necessary to deal with those rats over there,” the PM continued to resounding laughter from both sides of the House.
The PM’s statement angered Opposition MP Bishop Juan Edghill, who referenced the same standing order denouncing the reference to him and his colleagues as “rats.” “That is demeaning and it must be withdrawn, because he cannot bring order to the House and imputing motives over here, I refuse to be called a rat,” Edghill shouted before taking his seat.
Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland was forced to read Standing Order 41 (4), which reads, “It shall be out of order to use offensive… language about members of the Assembly.” Scotland said the standing order has long existed and asked members to consider the rules of the House.
Standing Orders are the guidelines of engagement in the National Assembly.

By Derwayne Wills