“Unruly and disrespectful” were among a slew of remarks used by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to describe the Opposition’s walk out of the budget debates on Friday.

Speaking to the empty seats on the Opposition side of the House, Prime Minister Nagamootoo blasted the PPP for its refusal to sit out the debate. He said the Opposition was recalcitrant and their actions smacks of political cowardice.

A visibly upset Nagamootoo said the PPP lost the elections in 2015 after 23 years in government but their actions on Friday demonstrated they have not lost their arrogance.

“Like a little brat they picked up their bat and walked out, but this game will continue,” he declared.

Just like they did last year during the budget debates, the PPP Members of Parliament walked out of House following the contribution of the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. Mr. Jagdeo spoke for over one hour and forty-five minutes, and just after his speech, the PPP members stood to their feet to begin their walk out.

The Speaker told them they should reconsider their walk out, but his concern fell on deaf ears as they all rose to their feet and walked out as the Prime Minister was about to begin his presentation. Mr. Jagdeo said his party was walking out over the position that he had to speak.

He explained like he did last year, that it had been a standing principle of the House during the PPP’s term in office that the Opposition Leader speaks then the Finance Minister wraps up the budget. He does not believe the Prime Minister as Leader of the House should speak after him and before the Finance Minister closes the debate.

Nagamotoo said it was a defeatist strategy being employed by the Opposition Leader and his colleague MPs. The Prime Minister said the House has muzzled no one contrary to allegations by the PPP.