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OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles surprised many on November 30 when she made no opening contribution to a private motion which she filed in the House of Representatives, which condemned Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and government for its position on tensions between the US and Venezuela.

All of this happened at the first private members' day in the House since the April 28 general election. Private members day is an occasion when no government business is conducted in either the House or the Senate. In the case of the former, the opposition dictates what matters are debated in the House.

While reading the text of her own motion, Beckles complained to Speaker Jagdeo Singh about being heckled by government MPs. Singh directed all MPs to allow Beckles to continue in silence.