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PP support for nominations welcome

Yesterday’s move by opposition MPs to second the nominations of House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and deputy speaker Esmond Forde indicate the possibilities of a good beginning to the 11th Parliament, says Prime Minister Keith Rowley.

Rowley was speaking to the House of Representatives following the parliament’s ceremonial opening at the International Waterfront Centre, yesterday. Delivering Republic Day greetings, Rowley said: “We have just come through a bruising election period and today as the holder of the office, as Prime Minister, I would like to emphasise the elections are over and there’s no room for hatred, bitterness, rancour or invective.”

He added: “The pleasure of having the office (House Speaker, deputy speaker) seconded by colleagues on the other side indicates the possibilities of a good beginning.”

Rowley said: “We acknowledge that our national conversation hasn’t been very elevating for most days and many nights.”

Noting statements by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar who spoke before him, Rowley added, “But maybe if we accept what has been said by my colleague on the other side that we should not be afraid or ashamed to discuss our issues, then we could easily say with some conviction we’re advancing our freedom and independence.”

He said there were things that could and must be done if MPs were to advance the lot of people. He said, “We’ll make ourselves work very closely with our colleagues and make full use of parliamentary time.” 

Persad-Bissessar, in her Republic Day address to the House, said she was pleased to acknowledge the “maturity with which we handled the political change, which happened just a few days ago.

“While many issues are yet to be resolved, the peaceful transition from my government to another is a tribute to all of us who have shown the world time and time again that while we have political differences we are one people, respecting our democracy and the will of the people.”

She said the 1976 constitution “was and remains an expression of our desire to respect one another and to recognise each other’s rights, freedom of speech and freedom of association. It also ensures the rule of law and equality of citizens, regardless of religious, social, ethnic or political considerations.

“Today let us recommit ourselves to those values and to respecting one another. Let us also pledge today to protect the freedoms we enjoy, to protect our families from harm, and to continue to live as one family looking after one another.” 

Annisette-George, the first female Speaker since Occah Seapaul who served between 1991 and 1995 when she was removed, pledged to maintain high standards and expressed gratitude to the former speaker Wade Mark and others.


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