Opposition Objects To Speaker

The Opposition Members of Parliament are objecting to the nomination of Bridgid Annisette-George as Speaker of the House of the Representatives of the Twelfth Republican Parliament. Their objection was stated in a letter from the Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to the Speaker of the House, Bridgid Annisette-George. In her letter, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar told Mrs. Annisette-George that she did not exemplify, and/or act in accordance with the basic principle of the functioning of a Speaker - that of impartiality. Mrs. Persad-Bissessar warned that if Mrs. Annisette-George fails to recuse herself or to step down, or withdraw as a nominee for Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Opposition reserves the right to raise her conduct on substantive Motions before the House and to debate any continuing impartial actions. She said the Opposition also reserves the right to approach the courts, seeking a declaration that the actions on Mrs. Annisette-George's part have deprived Members of the Opposition Benches of their rights to speak in the Parliament.