Leading her Opposition Members of Parliament, Persad-Bissessar left the Chamber during her presentation to the debate on amendments to the Municipal Corporations (Extension of Terms of Office and Validation) Bill 2023.
She declared, “I take total objection to this course of action and I will not partake in this debate… This is not democracy.”
While giving her statements to the Lower House, Annisette-George told Persad-Bissessar that she was repeating comments made last week and asked for her to discuss the current matter which were the amendments.
Persad-Bissessar acknowledged being guided but said, “If I am to agree to this amendment, then we have to see what is the wrong that we are correcting.”
Annisette-George said she fully understood what she meant. The opposition leader was saying that she was correct to make the point that the local government reform bill must not be used to delay elections.
While Persad-Bissessar continued she was interrupted again by the House Speaker and on the third occasion Persad-Bissessar said the matter could not be debated or given support since Attorney General Reginald Armour has remained silent in the Parliament on the matter.
Objecting to Annisette-George’s interjections, Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition was not being allowed to speak.
Denying that, Annisette-George asked her to remain within the confines of the standing orders.
However, adamant she was not allowed to speak on the issue of Local Government, blaming Government for wasting Parliamentary time, Persad-Bissessar asked her MPs to join her in her walkout.
MP Barry Padarath was also told to apologise for speaking loudly while leaving.
The only Opposition MPs remaining in the Chamber were Saddam Hosein and Dinesh Rambally.
