Ramotar inflicted greatest damage on parliamentary democracy -Williams

Ramotar inflicted greatest damage on parliamentary democracy  -Williams

As the international community continues to press President Donald Ramotar to lift the suspension of parliament and set a date for national elections, Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity, Basil Williams believes that President Ramotar has now ensured his place in Guyana’s history as the President who “inflicted the greatest damage on parliamentary and local democracy”.

Speaking at the APNU’s weekly press  conference on Friday (January 16, 2015), Mr. Williams highlighted the recent call by the British Government for a return to parliamentary democracy in Guyana and for a date for elections to be announced.

He said “the President has violated the spirit of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana which states: Local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organized so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.”

According to the APNU  Member of Parliament who also serves as the Chairman of the People’s National Congress, Mr. Ramotar, by his 10th November 2014 prorogation of parliament, effectively prevented the functioning of the National Assembly which has not met for over six months.

Williams said the APNU supports the “international criticism” of the government.

 The Government of Guyana has dismissed the criticism being levelled against it by the British Government over the prorogation of parliament. On Thursday, the Government’s Chief Spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon said the British High Commissioner ought to be accorded the status of a “pariah” for his statements on the prorogation of the parliament in Guyana.

The British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre drew the ire of the Donald Ramotar administration when he said it is still not clear why the parliament was prorogued and why it remains prorogued. He also stated that the move has put democracy in Guyana on hold.

The British Foreign Minister Tobias Ellwood shared similar thoughts in a statement from London.

In that statement, the British Foreign Minister said “The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter, it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard”

Filed: 17th January, 2015

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