IT WAS indeed an unfamiliar sight last Friday evening when Members of Parliament from the government benches staged a walkout of the National Assembly.
The protest was triggered by the Opposition’s blatant disregard of the PPP/C’s MPs repeated attempts to broker an agreement on a postponement of the debate on the Motion to establish

a National Commemoration Commission, originally titled the ‘National Heritage Commission’.
Government is of the view that while the intent of the Motion is laudable, there is need for the three parliamentary parties to come together and discuss it in greater detail, with a view to  arriving at a decision that will see a more comprehensive and all-embracing Commission.
However, mover of the Motion, Opposition Leader, Mr David Granger, with the full support of the Alliance For Change (AFC), remained adamant in proceeding with it in its present form, thereby breaching the Standing Orders to go beyond the prescribed 22:00hrs adjournment time.
Government’s Chief Whip, Ms Gail Teixeira said that this was an important issue that all parties could have reached unanimity on, much to the benefit of the country. However, the Opposition chose to railroad this Motion; letting a golden opportunity pass.
“We decided that it makes no sense for us to stay here, they do not care what we say or present; this was Granger’s Motion that was passed by diktat…we are certain that this issue of the Heritage Commission was a good idea…Our presence at this point does not make much difference,” Teixeira said.
She added that while this intransigent stance by the Opposition in this 10th Parliament does not come as a surprise, it is rather disappointing that they would force such a sensitive issue that has to do with the cultural way of life of Guyanese.
The government side also expressed the view that the Motion needs to take into account that Guyana is still evolving as a nation and as such, its cultural tapestry cannot be controlled, it must be allowed to expand and blossom.
Granger in his presentation said that there must be deliberate policies and collective action to promote culture. He noted that Guyana needs comprehensive cultural policies that are reflective of its diversity.
He subsequently proposed two amendments as requested by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony. These include a change in the name of the Motion from National Heritage Commission to National Commemoration Commission.
It should be noted that parliamentary Motions have no legal binding force, they act as mere advisories.