THE OFFICE of Speaker of the National Assembly is a time-honoured one that is unique for the grave responsibilities that are reposed therein. Primarily, it is about being neutral in the conduct of the nation’s affairs, as mandated by the people. 

But there is an even graver function in this regard, and that is about being above the fray of the adversarial parliamentary environment, and maintaining order and decorum in the conduct of House members, with the reminder that he/she must at all times be neutral.
The current holder of this the third highest office in the constitutional order, definitely forgot this critical aspect of his sacred function, conveniently perhaps, when he joined in the many statements in the aftermath of President Donald Ramotar’s announcement that the National Assembly has been prorogued.
OBSERVER is of the view that rather than make statements that did convey a partisan tone, apart from some inflammatory content, the holder of such an office ought to be instrumental in guiding the process of creating a conducive environment, as it relates to moving the Opposition to parley with the Government.
This Honourable Gentleman must know that Guyana is at another high mark emanating from a Tenth Parliament over which he has managed, and privy to scenes that he himself would have concluded, has not aided the national interest, materially or spiritually. And that the Executive’s intervention by proclamation is meant to guide the country away from a continuous pathway of legislative time-wasting, for a re-focus on the issues that are relevant to all our wellbeing.
OBSERVER is certain that conscientiously, he understands what has been done; and that he has the best interests of the nation at heart, but that at crucial times, he is torn between taking a principled stand, as he ought to have done when he allowed an Opposition motion to gag Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, until overturned by judicial decision; and the radicals’ demands in the opposition.
At this critical moment in the country’s journey, the Speaker must take a stand in reining in those within the Opposition, letting them understand that dialogue is still the accepted way forward, and not adding to entrenched positions from which no one, will benefit. How can he, as reported in the private press, convene a meeting of the Opposition within the Halls of the August Assembly, already aware that it has been prorogued?
His mission should be to mediate; not to instigate!