By Tracey Khan – Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre, has added his voice to those calling on President Donald Ramotar to reconvene Parliament at the soonest possible time to ensure democracy is preserved.
On November 10, the President prorogued Parliament to stave off the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) sponsored no confidence motion which is being supported by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The passage of the motion in the Opposition controlled House would have forced the President to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections within three months.
However, he opted to prorogue Parliament which can last for a maximum of six months.
During an interview with the media yesterday, the High Commissioner noted that, “the UK believes that the central pillar of democracy is Parliament and Parliament should re-sit at the shortest possible delay.”
When asked if he believes it should be reconvened in the face of a no confidence motion he made it clear that, “it’s for your politicians to determine, the constitution gives the President the right to prorogue Parliament; it also gives in article 106 (6) the right for the majority of MP’s to dissolve the Parliament and potentially have new elections. These things aren’t mutually exclusive.”
He believes this problem should be resolved by those in Guyana, however he believes that the international community would be a mediator if the need arises.
“My view on that is straight forward this is a Guyanese problem and it needs a Guyanese solution so time must be given for all stakeholders in Guyana to craft that solution themselves, however, if international mediation or the role of the international community is something that all parties would think is useful, then of course we would be happy to assist.”
He stressed on the need for democracy to be preserved in Guyana.
wat does the Ayre man have to say on the combined majority opposition trampling on the said constitution by cutting government estimates then trampled on the court for ruling against them….oh oh the Ayre man and the international community have no say on anything once the majority combined opposition does it.
this is democracy at work here since the president is within his constitutional rights to do what he did to bone head combined opposition who is doing what they are doing out of hate. the Ayre man should see who called this no confidence in the first place and its no other than x ppp nagamoottoo a man who think the founder of ppp jagan died and leave the country for him to run..nagamoottoo is full of hate and contempt since he did not get the nod to lead ppp into elections since jagan died…the Ayre man cant say he didnt know this..
Mr. Andrew Ayre, Your honesty , and fairness is very much appreciated! I am in agreement with you, democracy must be preserved. So it seems as though we have mediators ready to mediate with the government and the opposition. The democratic and elected President is ready for dialogue. Is the opposition ready? The President would be ready to reconvene parliament after mediation. It’s your call now Granger. Don’t let the AFC throw sand in your eyes again! Also watch out for Greenidge, he wants your position and Harmon is backing him. If you wants to continue to be the leader of the opposition, then you have to man up and lead.