UK’s Foreign Office Minister calls for end to Parliament’s prorogation

THE United Kingdom’s Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, in a recent statement, called for the earliest possible resumption of Parliament, which currently stands prorogued.Ellwood 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.  The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.
“We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution.
“The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.”
Article 70 (1) of the Constitution states that: “The President may at any time by proclamation prorogue Parliament.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar has always maintained that the need for dialogue was uppermost in his mind when he made his decision on November 10.
Paving the way for greater dialogue among political parties, he contends, would have kept the 10th Parliament alive to address critically important issues currently before the National Assembly.
The effect of ending the first session of the 10th Parliament via prorogation is the termination of the business of the National Assembly.
As a result, the AFC sponsored no-confidence motion was not considered. Also A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had, prior to November 10, signalled its intent to support the push through of the motion.
Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament, if the no-confidence motion was passed, Guyana would have been headed to early general elections within three months.
However, Mr. Ramotar has made it clear that if these efforts prove futile, there will be a move to early general elections.
Since the prorogation, APNU and the AFC have made it clear that they will not engage the President in talks unless the prorogation is lifted and Parliamentary work resumes. The rejection of talks was also formally communicated by APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger in a December 2 letter responding to the President’s November 18 invitation for talks.
The most recent contention of the current Administration, following these positions, is that the prorogation objectives have been lost.
President Ramotar has since indicated that Guyana will head to early general and regional elections, just over three years since the November 2011 polls. The announcement of a date for early elections is expected to be made soon.