(MPs Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman do monthly columns for Stabroek News on a topic of their choice)
The last few months have found me travelling extensively as an invitee of the European Union, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, and the Department of State of the United States of America, to observe general systems and practices in Europe and North America, and to meet with persons who shape world policy and opinion, as if on a fast-tracked learning process. In the interest of accountability as an elected representative, I have no hesitation in saying that I have visited Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Washington, Nebraska and California in the USA since January. In the main, I have continued to pay particular attention to various systems of government always looking for ways in which our unique political system can be improved upon. Conceding that these countries and states have advanced systems of government, it is however not ridiculous to believe that some aspects may be incorporated into Guyana with the minimum of effort. I earnestly believe that all is not lost for Guyana and that our weakness and differences must be turned into strengths and advantages. The genesis of our salvation lies in getting the National Assembly not simply to work, but to be configured in such a way that it addresses the hopes, aspirations, fears and insecurities of all of the people of Guyana.
We can accept that the system we use has failed and needs constant revision and adaptation. In this light, it was disappointing to observe the government go into its usual contortions in rejecting the Sir Michael Davies Needs Assessment Report for the National Assembly, and it was also just as disappointing to read that Member of Parliament Donald Ramotar killed his own initiative to broaden and deepen the scope of geographic representation in Parliament simply because the Opposition parties took issue with another concern. The speed with which this motion was withdrawn is perhaps a reflection of the mover's own discomfort and disbelief in its correctness and I am disappointed that a mature politician such as Mr. Ramotar would behave in this manner. Mr. Ramotar has to understand that he was not being magnanimous to the opposition parties in proposing a Motion to give greater representation in parliament to the people. Mr. Ramotar should also understand as well that he is not being clever in using the protest against the resumption of duties of the Minister of Home Affairs to withdraw the motion. Who has really been hurt in this move...the opposition, or the people of Guyana? By his actions he has raised the question as to whether or not his motives were ever honourable. The PPP/C has to understand that not everything wrong with Guyana is its creation and that many aspects of our colonial and post-independence past have left us as a less than perfect and unified nation. It is therefore alright to acknowledge that some vital aspects of the state such as our parliamentary system are not working and need attention without being entirely blamed for the way it is.
At the time I commenced writing this article I was safely located in a hotel room in Lincoln, Nebraska as news of an approaching tornado is broadcast. What brought me to Nebraska is not only its beauty, or the danger, but the fact that of all the states in America, this is the only one with a unicameral legislature. The "unicameral" as it is fondly referred to, is made up of forty-nine Senators all uniquely elected. No candidate for office is allowed to declare a party affiliation (though there must be one), but is required to run as an independent and once elected, seating is arranged in terms of seniority and availability. After election, one becomes just another Senator introducing legislation and voting according to your constituents' desires and conscience. This is a far cry from that which obtains in Guyana and is likely not to be successful in a country with a Westminster tradition, but I am confident that there are lessons to be learnt from the Nebraska experience as to how a small, unicameral assembly can be better organized to serve the needs of the people.
Another interesting feature of the Nebraska Assembly is the presence of an Executive Committee which, somewhat like our own "Management Committee," administers the general business of the Assembly. The Chairman of this committee is elected by his/her peers and has tremendous clout. I have raised with the Secretary of State of Nebraska the possibility of having a bi-partisan group of parliamentarians hosted by the Nebraska Assembly for a study mission and he has given his blessings. I hope that the proposal is not spurned. There are many excellent examples of good government to be observed in the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom and the Committee of the Future in Finland. There is no earthly reason why some of these ideas cannot be discussed and if feasible, introduced in Guyana.
A glance at the visitor's gallery of our Assembly on any day of our meeting will find empty chairs and no lines of excited school children waiting to see the framers of policy. This is something that has to be changed. As a start, we will have to remove the strict security arrangements put in place whenever the Assembly meets. The City of Georgetown should not have to be cordoned off and bus parks relocated just because sixty-five Members of Parliament are meeting. Security is an imperative yes but not at the expense of the people. Secondly, the Speaker of the Assembly together with members of the Management Committee should present for approval, a proposal that sees the image of the Parliament being lifted through public outreach to schools, the University, and outlying towns and Regions. In the same way that Cabinet goes to the people, so too should Parliament go to the people and even meet annually in Berbice and Essequibo. Hopefully, on these outreaches Parliamentarians will resist the urge to have weighty garlands placed around their necks but will roll up their sleeves and identify with the people as their servants and representatives.
In similar vein, each party represented in Parliament should be allowed office space in the Assembly which should allow citizens and interest groups to visit and present their concerns without having to go into some party headquarters and be labelled "this or that". We are too disconnected from the people and that is why there is no respect for and interest in our work because we have stopped serving their interests. The positive changes that need to be accomplished in Parliament require a change of attitude more than they do some large budgetary allocation. The National Assembly and its members have to be seen more as a place of the people's business and less as a place of elites. I propose along with all those who have an interest in parliamentary reform to make these suggestions to every party in Parliament and to see if a movement for change can be galvanized without the usual suspicion and fighting.
It is time for some fundamental changes. After all, what good is all this knowledge and experience if not to be used to make a positive contribution? I hope that the changes that will come will be embraced rather than fought. There is far more that we can be doing in the limited time God has afforded us to represent the people than just be counted as useless Members of Parliament.