Just ram it thru’

The Opposition’s attempt to delay the inevitable naturally had to fall on deaf ears. The Government would not countenance any of the calls to postpone or make alternate seating arrangements in Parliament for the debate on the 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution owing to the increasing intensity of the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing and mask wearing became law over the week, but lawmakers showed themselves to be above the law. The passage of 20A was top priority, masked or unmasked.

Parliaments around the world had adopted measures to ensure Members did not infect others, nor get infected. Outside the House, cases of the virus were escalating and fears of a ‘second wave’ hitting the population through the dreaded community spread’ were being discussed. Police curfews were already in place in certain areas. In these circumstances, it was not exemplary political leadership on display.

There had been some rumblings within the Government’s own ranks over 20A during the run-up to this week’s debate and vote. At the very outset there was no ownership of the draft proposals. They came from ‘thin air’, it seems. Then came objections from the minor parties of the ruling coalition and from sections of the clergy, many of whom carried this Government on their shoulders to power and place.

Many Government politicians found themselves awkwardly placed - between a rock and a hard place, as they say these days. They disliked provisions like the dual citizenship issue in 20A ( the BR Amendment). The Prime Minister suggested an amendment, but it never saw the light of day. The President, we are told by others, has said that the matter will be considered when bringing forth the ‘new Constitution’.

The issue of the Immunity of the President was a serious matter which even the Supreme Court had to red flag as being unconstitutional. The Government was forced to relent and take it out of 20A.

Those groaning dissident Government MPs laboured to make a squeak but were quickly made to cringe before authority. It was not only a sign of the times but what is to come to a castrated Parliament with the passage of 20A.

Some were downright pitiful. They tried to have the cake and eat it, suggesting in public that they personally opposed certain provisions of 20A but would vote for it anyway because they always vote with their ‘ kandayama’ ( team). The Government hierarchy dared not give their MPs a “conscience vote”. That could spell disaster. The Party whip was at hand to see the pantomime by a few MPs showing their dissent was over - they voted with the team leader. This is what powerful Governments with huge mandates do, past and present, reminding one of the confession of Sir Joseph Porter KCB, the fictitious character in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta HMS Pinafore; “I always voted at my party’s call and never thought of thinking for myself at all”.

Intent on showcasing its efficiency, this Government has, after the brief early weeks of success with the COVID-19 pandemic, been looking for excuses for some time now. First it was the inability to pass the Budget being a minority Government. Then it was the need for a new Parliament; then the COVID issue that retarded economic growth, and all along it was the 19A millstone that prevented it from delivering the goods.

The Government may soon run out of excuses.