Dear Editor,
Attending a session of the National Assembly debate on the Budget 2012 was a disappointing experience. Those who spoke clearly prepared their presentations and this is a positive development. However, Prime Minister Hinds and the other MPs simply read their contributions; this is so sad. Earlier, this was unthinkable and not allowed by the Speaker.
All MPs should be able to ‘deliver’ on his or her feet, maybe, with no more than notes to help maintain order and relevance. Our tradition disallows reading ‘word for word’ during a debate. I was disappointed that the Prime Minister led this decline in accepted parliamentary debates. Beyond this we saw a lack of repartee and wit, which earlier came from the likes of Boysie Ramkarran, HO Jack, Shirley Field-Ridley, WOR Kendall and Harry Lall, among others, not to mention the greats such as LFS Burnham and Cheddi Jagan.
We must not pass on to succeeding generations any aspect of our society which demonstrate a backward step, for soon, cursing and corruption will become the norm.
Next, the Parliament should be required to put loudspeakers outside, so that the public passing can stop and hear what is taking place in this, the highest forum. This was done before. Further, these debates should be broadcast or made available to all television stations. The one state-controlled radio station should relay the debate live and unedited. This is an opportunity for openness and democracy.
Come on MPs, let us jig.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
