One would have expected that the high standard of conduct in Parliament

set by former House Speaker Mr. Ralph Ramkarran would have continued under the new dispensation of a combined one-seat opposition majority. Unfortunately, what is unfolding at  recent sittings of the National Assembly is clearly showing that the standard of conduct in the National Assembly under the new Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman, is plummeting at an alarming rate; and if this trend continues, we are certainly heading towards chaos and anarchy with respect to the functioning of our Parliament. And this of course is a most worrisome development because Parliament is the body where all legislative matters are dealt with.
Based on the rulings that have been made so far by Mr. Trotman, it appears that he cannot assert himself or he is unsure of his responsibilities; or coming from the opposition, he is biased against the government. With respect to the latter, a Speaker must at all times demonstrate fairness, regardless of whether he is from the government or opposition side of the House. That has always been a sacred tradition and integral component of the democratic norm in all democracies.
His predecessor, Mr. Ramkarran,had always displayed fairness in his rulings and for this he was deeply respected by members of both sides of the House. In fact, he got into a tiff with his colleagues on a few occasions when he ruled against them. That is a major quality any Speaker must have if he/she is going to successfully execute his/her parliamentary responsibilities.
The Speaker of Parliament is looked upon as the true guardian of the traditions of parliamentary democracy and therefore must at all times discharge his/her duties and responsibilities in accordance with this cardinal principle.
The workings of the Parliament cannot and must not be fiddled with, as is currently taking place, because its importance is crucial to the development of this country and all Members of Parliament and the Speaker ought to be cognisant of this.
Therefore, anyone who attempts to obstruct or frustrate the workings of Parliament is guilty of sabotaging the developmental process of this country and as such is not fit to be a member of the august body. On this note, the behaviorur of the members of the parliamentary opposition is most troubling because it seems as if they believe that entire development and future of this country rests with the gagging and removal of Mr. Rohee as Home Affairs Minister, as all they have been preoccupied with centres on him. But if that is the belief of the opposition, then they are certainly illogical and unrealistic and those who voted for them should now ask themselves if that is the quality of representation they voted for. Perhaps they are already asking that question and probably have concluded that they made a mistake.
The opposition needs to tell its supporters and this nation whether there are not much more important matters to be deliberated upon by the House rather than the gagging and removal of Mr. Rohee, as they cannot continue to stall and subvert the important work of the House by pursuing their petty, narrow and selfish political agenda.
On the other hand, the opposition members should be aware that each sitting of the National Assembly costs the taxpayers of this country over a million dollars and if they continue with their current antics and gimmicks, it would be a waste of  taxpayers’ money, something as a developing country we cannot afford. Ironically, it is the same opposition which has been accusing the government of wasting  public funds.
It is time that the Guyanese people send a clear and uncompromising message to the opposition that they are tired and disgusted with their antics and gimmicks and would like to see this country continue on the road to progress and development, rather than chaos and anarchy.