HOUSE SPEAKER Raphael Trotman, speaking at a media briefing in the Committee Room Two of the National Assembly on Thursday, refuted claims about being impartial in chairing proceedings of the National Assembly by declaring that there will always be concerns from both sides of the House. This comment was in response to a question posed by the media on Prime Minister Samuel Hinds’s statement the previous day on whether the Speaker would allow several opposition-brought motions to be discussed at last Thursday’s sitting.
Trotman made reference to when he was in the opposition, stating that the then opposition had similar concerns whenever then Speaker Ralph Ramkarran had to make a ruling.
He noted that it was a natural concern. “It is good sometimes that the shoe is on the other foot,” he added.
He also noted that regardless of whether he served with distinction or fairness, there will always be criticisms, as persons will always believe that he was leaning more to the opposition side. According to him, he has attracted criticisms from both the opposition and government side since his appointment. In addition, he has also received praise from both sides.
Trotman added that he has tried to be fair in his rulings, and will continue to do so; and will make all his rulings based on the parliamentary Standing Orders. He pointed out that sometimes one side would win and at other times it won’t.
“I have received words of commendation from both sides as I have receive words of criticisms from both sides, and that tells me that I am doing my job, because no one side can say that I am all for them or all against them, and that’s the nature of being a Speaker in a Westminster-style Parliament,” he said.
Two of the motions in question were dealt with before Thursday’s sitting ended.
Trotman became Guyana’s first opposition-appointed Speaker in the wake of the AFC and APNU clinching a one-seat majority in the 65-seat National Assembly, which has also seen the Deputy Speaker coming from the opposition ranks — APNU’s Deborah Backer.
The AFC Leader believes the uniqueness of his position should be exploited to the fullest, and he has already embarked on a raft of measures aimed at taking the work of the Parliament to the people, something he does not believe a government-appointed Speaker would have been keen on doing.
“For me, it’s not just this benign Speaker who just presides on days of sittings. I’ve been trying to reach out and make the Assembly more accessible to the people.”
To that end, Trotman announced several initiatives on Thursday, including the setting up of a suggestion box for members of the public; parliamentary outreaches to communities; a lecture series; and getting a dedicated parliamentary channel for sittings of the National Assembly in the long term.
Live Internet streaming of the sittings, as well as placement of large screen monitors outside the Parliament, so that persons could see and hear what is underway in the chambers, are also being considered.
During the media conference, Trotman also spoke on the ongoing process of having members of Parliament familiarise themselves with parliamentary practice and procedures. He announced that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), would be conducting a two-day seminar for MPs, on May 21 and 22 at the Pegasus Hotel. MPs will be enlightened on the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government; and would be made to understanding collaborative leadership and leadership for national development, and bridge building and the role of the parliamentarian, among other topics.
The opening ceremony of the seminar will be held at the impeccable Banquet Hall on May 20. The media is expected to participate in the seminar, not only by way of coverage.
Trotman noted that the aim of the seminar is to introduce new parliamentarians to the operation of the National Assembly.