Proroguing parliament is a legitimate constitutional device in Westminster constitutions, whatever its origins and the purpose for which it is used. Much of the time prorogation has been used for partisan purposes, has been unpopular and has incurred much opposition. The Governor prorogued the legislature in 1963 to cause the lapse of the Labour Relations […]
Category Archives: Parliament
SLIPPING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR?
President Ramotar said in his address to the nation last week that if the Opposition persists with the no confidence motion, he will ‘prorogue or dissolve’ the National Assembly. These are two completely different options. The proroguing of the National Assembly means the termination of this session only and all pending business, which is not […]
THE SPEAKER CANNOT FIX A DATE – UNDER THE RULES OR BY PRACTICE
The Clerk to the National Assembly has sought, in a letter to the press, to answer my article last Sunday in which I contended that the Speaker must convene the National Assembly now. My argument was that the National Assembly, when adjourned without a date being fixed, must sit on the next sitting day pursuant […]
THE SPEAKER IS OBLIGED TO CONVENE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NOW!
There appears to be no consensus among parliamentary parties about a date for the first sitting of the National Assembly after the just concluded recess. There also appears to be some confusion as to the procedure by which the National Assembly is to be convened. It is claimed that the Government has to make a […]
EXCISING THE PRESIDENTIAL CARBUNCLE
In his article last Wednesday in Future Notes, (‘Some suggestions for constitutional reform’), Dr. Henry Jeffrey, advanced extensive views on constitutional reform. In order not to lose the momentum and opportunity of a discourse on the subject, I now seek to give some opinions of my own in the hope that they will add to […]