WPA calls for swift resolution of confidence motion issues

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) yesterday called for a swift resolution of the issues surrounding the motion of no-confidence passed against the government and urged both sides to pledge to respect the outcome when the court rules.

The party’s statement came 19 days after the passage of the motion.

“WPA has taken note of the arguments on both sides of the divide on the legality/illegality of the results of the motion and we firmly believe that the situation facing Guyana requires a swift resolution in the courts. On such important matters, the principle of judicial review should be activated,” the party, which is part of the APNU coalition, said in a statement.

“WPA is cognisant of the political consequences of the challenge by the Government side that could be read as an attempt to remain in power beyond the provision of Article 106 (7). It is in this situation that we urge and reiterate the need for a swift resolution in the courts,” it added.

At least three matters have been filed in the High Court following the passage of a PPP/Csponsored no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC government on December 21. Now former APNU+AFC parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud voted against the government to see the motion pass 33-32.

Last Friday, private citizen Compton Herbert Reid filed an action challenging the validity of Persaud’s vote, given his Canadian citizenship, the consequence of which, he contends, is that the motion against the government could not be regarded as having been passed. Government subsequently filed its own suit which advances that the motion was not passed by the needed majority of the House.

Subsequent to that, attorney and chartered accountant Christopher Ram filed suit, asking the High Court to uphold the passage of the no-confidence motion against the David Granger-led government and to declare that the President and his Cabinet should immediately resign as a result.

In its statement, the WPA said that it has been closely following the developments since the passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly. “Like others, we agree that the passage of motion puts Guyana in unchartered territory as this is the first time there has been such an outcome in our legislature,” the party said while adding that it is not surprised by the sharp political division that has since occurred as “there is too much at stake.”

The party noted that it was briefed by the APNU members of the cabinet sub-committee at an APNU executive meeting on what it had done up to that date but has not had any further meeting. President Granger’s statement that “all Constitutional requirements will be met” and his assurance to “the Guyanese people that this is not a crisis which could dissolve into any type of confrontation” is very important, particularly in this fluid period of great uncertainty, the party said. It observed the approaches to the court and called for a swift resolution of the issues and the need for acceptance of the eventual outcomes. “This is another test of the political maturity of our leaderships—one that should not end in any major political fallout. WPA, therefore, calls on both sides to be responsible leaders by rising above narrow partisan considerations. Now that the matter is in the courts, there should be a joint pledge to respect the eventual outcome. Perhaps, this could be high on the agenda of the meeting between the two principal leaders,” the party said.

Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met yesterday.