Parliament belongs to the people

Today, I submitted a motion to amend the Standing Orders of the National Assembly to require regular sittings of Parliament and to protect opportunities for Private Members’ Business. The motion is seconded by the Opposition Chief Whip, the Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, MP.

The message is simple. Parliament belongs to the people of Guyana. It does not belong to the PPP. It does not exist at the convenience of the Government. It is not an institution to be summoned when the Government needs approval for expenditure and then left silent when the people’s representatives have questions to ask.

The proposed amendments require Parliament to meet at least once every fourteen days while it is in session, subject to the Constitution and the recess provisions. They also require Parliament to meet within fourteen days after the annual recess ends.